Funding of a free healthcare campaign in a rural district of Cameroon: optimizing the role of civil society in sub-Saharan Africa

Financial barriers represent a major obstacle to access to health care in sub-Saharan Africa and thus to the implementation of the Bamako Initiative. We describe an experience in which a civil society organization financed a free healthcare campaign in a rural health district in Cameroon. In all, 2,...

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Published inMédecine et santé tropicales (Montrouge, France) Vol. 23; no. 2; p. 222
Main Authors Keugoung, B, Fouelifack Ymele, F, Dongtsa Mabou, J, Nangue, C, Ngouadjio Kougoum, P, Takoudjou, L, Hercot, D, Meli, J
Format Journal Article
LanguageFrench
Published France 01.05.2013
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Africa South of the Sahara
Cameroon
Child
Child, Preschool
Delivery of Health Care - economics
Health Promotion
Humans
Infant
Role
Rural Health
Sociology
Uncompensated Care
Young Adult
Africa South of the Sahara
Cameroon
Bamako Initiative
Cameroon
civil society
free medical care
healthcare financing
Sub-Saharan Africa
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Summary:Financial barriers represent a major obstacle to access to health care in sub-Saharan Africa and thus to the implementation of the Bamako Initiative. We describe an experience in which a civil society organization financed a free healthcare campaign in a rural health district in Cameroon. In all, 2,073 patients received free consultations, laboratory tests, and drugs. Adults older than 40 years accounted for 55.7% of all patients. The most frequent diseases were: osteoarticular conditions (24.1%), malaria (20.8%), and intestinal parasitosis (12.5%). In health systems financed mainly by cost recovery, some population needs remain uncovered by health services. There is a need to involve and reinforce the role of civil society in health system financing. It can help to pool more funds and improve the management of health resources to increase financial access to health care for poor people.
ISSN:2261-2211
DOI:10.1684/mst.2013.0175