Under the leadership of the Regional Delegate of Public Health, Dr. Ambe Lionel, the North West region of Cameroon successfully marked the 33rd edition of World Tuberculosis Day on March 24, 2026.
This year’s global theme, “Yes! we can end TB: led by Countries, powered by People,” served as a rallying cry for health workers and community actors alike. Despite facing significant financial hurdles due to reduced partner funding, the regional TB programme demonstrated remarkable resilience, mobilizing a week-long series of awareness and screening activities designed to curb the spread of the disease.
The urgency of these interventions is underscored by recent health data: in 2025 alone, nearly 1,000 individuals were diagnosed with tuberculosis in the North West Region, representing a prevalence of 42 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Under the coordination of Dr. Mercy Fundoh, the programme targeted high-risk groups through diverse outreach strategies. These included educational talks in schools, mass media interviews, and a dedicated screening campaign in local educational institutions, all aimed at emphasizing the critical importance of early detection and treatment adherence.
Strategic partnerships played a pivotal role in overcoming the region’s resource constraints. Organizations such as the North West Regional Fund for health promotion, Affirmative Action, and Plan International provided essential technical and logistical support.
These collaborations culminated in a specialized capacity-building session for Community Health Workers – CHWs. The training focused on empowering these frontline actors to improve case identification, facilitate patient referrals, and lead the charge in dismantling the social stigma often associated with a TB diagnosis.
As the commemoration concluded, the message from regional health authorities remained one of determined optimism. While the challenges of funding and the persistent disease burden remain, the successful mobilization of communities and health partners proves that ending TB is an achievable goal.
By combining strong leadership with active grassroots participation and sustained investment, the North West Region is positioning itself to turn the tide against this public health threat and ensure a healthier future for all its citizens.
