Health Programme / Fight against maternal mortality in Cameroon (PASaR III)
Baseline situation
The strengthening of the health system in Cameroon is progressing only slowly. Access to high-quality health care remains limited, especially for women and children. For example, only 15,8% (EDS 2018) of Cameroonian couples use modern contraceptives and maternal mortality is high (596/100000; EDS 2015). In addition to socio-cultural barriers, the following factors are mentioned: limited availability of contraceptives, inadequate technical equipment, the low quality of the services offered in the health facilities and a lack of qualified health personnel.
Goal
The provision of good quality health services to the population has been improved, especially in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRGR).
The approach
The PASaR project is particularly active in three regions: Adamaoua, West and South-West and works with the Ministry of Health (MINSANTE), in particular with the relevant regional delegations (DRSP). In order to reduce maternal and child mortality, the main activities are aimed at strengthening family planning services and sexual and reproductive health and rights. Special attention is paid to the target group of young people.
In order to strengthen the health system, the competencies of health personnel are expanded through a structured quality management process. National training institutions such as universities and health structures are a part of the process as well as the population. The approach deliberately strengthens the initiative of health personnel and deals with both clinical and organisational aspects.
Health promotion activities at community level are supported by the Regional Promotion Funds for Health Promotion (FRPS), which uses the proceeds from the sale of medicines to implement health promotion activities in the communities. German technical cooperation focuses its advisory services on the administrative, organisational and logistical capacities of the FRPS and on improved coordination between the regional funds.
Another priority for strengthening the health system is to support the partners in the use of the Cameroonian health data information system, the data of which is also used by the health programme for project monitoring.
Family planning:
Some 500 health facilities have been equipped with and trained in family planning activities, 130 health professionals have been trained in the insertion and removal of spirals and implants, and 25 family planning trainers have been trained and certified.
Through the targeted integration of various communication media, the population is made aware of the issue of sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Since 2012, the use of modern family planning methods has quadrupled in the regions of operation.
Strengthening human resources and quality management:
30 teams from health facilities in the western region and 12 teams in the Adamaoua region participate in the quality management process;
At national level, work is underway to address the issue of quality standards together with other partners and to ensure synergies with other instruments (performance-based financing, Chèque Santé).
Regional Funds for Health Promotion (FRPS):
The FRPS are regarded throughout the country as a model for decentralised management and distribution of medicines and, in particular, for better access to contraceptives at an affordable price for the population.
The funds created a coordination platform for the programmes of the other technical and financial partners (KfW, AFD and World Bank).
The integration of cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, HIV, sexual and reproductive rights ensures a comprehensive orientation of activities.