Curbing Infant and maternal mortality: UNFPA donates 10 million dollars to Cameroon

By Morine Ncheke Tanyi in Yaounde

With maternal mortality rising sharply in Cameroon, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has offered to help the Cameroon government reduce the phenomenon. The announcement was made public during a press conference granted in Yaounde by the Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA, Kate Gilmore.

    In Cameroon for the 6th African Conference on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights that took place in Yaounde from 4 to 6 February 2014, Kate Gilmore met with Prime Minister Philemon Yang and disclosed to the press after the audience that the sum of 10 million US dollars has been earmarked to help Cameroon boost its efforts to fight the scourge in 2014 and 2015 that is, 5 million US dollars for each year. 
     The incidence of maternal mortality in Cameroon rose from 430 deaths for every 100.000 live births in 1998 to 782 deaths for every 100.000 live births in 2011; reason why in 2013, the government launched a National Multi-Sectorial Program to fight maternal mortality.  
    During the press conference, Kate Gilmore told the press that maternal mortality was not the only preoccupation as there is also the obstetric fistula. In Cameroon alone 20 to 30 women suffer from this more or less chronic health condition after giving birth. The obstetric fistula has a prevalence rate of 0.4 per cent, with 19,000 women suffering from the disease in Cameroon. It is more common among youths and the less privilege. A major cause for concern is the shame and stigmatization that victims suffer especially because of rejection by the public. The disease could at times lead to death.
    In 2012, Cameroon organized special training for midwives, as their services are of utmost importance to potential victims of both maternal mortality and obstetric fistula. As many as 5.400 midwives were trained making it 6 midwives for every 1.000 birth. Also, 8 specialized schools were opened in 6 regions to assure continues training of nurses and midwives. It is worth noting that Kate Gilmore is on her first visit to Cameroon since her nomination.