Written by Synthia Lateu

Getting cholera patients to treatment in time is proving difficult in Cameroon's Far North Region, where an outbreak has infected nearly 830 people and killed 25 others over the past six weeks.

Health authorities say poor road conditions, worsened by the rainy season, as well as insecurity and displacement, are delaying access to healthcare in some affected communities.

“We have road issues aggravated by the rainy season, affecting access to healthcare,” Dr Céline Mairousgou, Coordinator of the Regional Centre for the Prevention and Control of Epidemics in the Far North noted.

She said some patients arrive at health facilities in critical condition, often severely dehydrated, because they do not seek medical attention early enough.

“We are also in a crisis zone and displacement is not always easy at some time in the night,” Mairousgou added.

The outbreak has prompted a wider response from the Ministry of Public Health and humanitarian organisations. On July 3, Minister of Public Health Dr Manaouda Malachie visited the region to assess the response in affected health districts.

At an evaluation meeting attended by Far North Governor Midjiyawa Bakary, the minister urged residents to follow sanitary measures to help contain the disease.

Response teams have been deployed to affected communities, providing free treatment, promoting hygiene in markets and schools, and chlorinating water sources.

But health officials say controlling the outbreak will also depend on communities taking part in prevention efforts and seeking treatment early.

“We have put in place mechanisms. If the community is with us, I'm sure we will be able to prevent the spread and even potential epidemics in the region,” Mairousgou said.

Residents have been urged to wash their hands regularly, drink treated water and seek medical care as soon as symptoms appear. Treatment centres are operating around the clock, while awareness campaigns continue in border communities to limit further spread.