The orientation workshop for the development of Cameroon’s National Health Security Action Plan – NHSAP 2027–2031 successfully concluded recently, at the Mbalmayo International Conference Center.

Over five days, the event brought together key stakeholders, including technical and financial partners, civil society representatives, and public administration officials already engaged in the collaborative “One Health” approach. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Health, this gathering officially initiated a multisectoral roadmap specifically designed to target and fix existing vulnerabilities in how the nation handles public health crises.

​To ensure an exhaustive evaluation of the country’s health infrastructure, participants were organized into three specialized thematic working groups centered on the core pillars of health security: prevention, detection, and response.

This strategic division allowed experts to meticulously review 19 distinct priority action areas outlined in their reference framework. By integrating diverse perspectives from various sectors, the workshop captured a comprehensive view of the resources and structural shifts required to protect the population over the next five years.

​Once finalized, this new five-year plan will function as Cameroon’s primary strategic framework to steer public health interventions and investments from 2027 through 2031. A foundational objective of the document is to significantly elevate Cameroon’s national preparedness and emergency response capabilities, bringing the country into strict alignment with the rigorous standards set by the International Health Regulations – IHR. This proactive planning is deemed vital for managing rising global health threats and fast-moving outbreaks.

​The workshop concluded with a robust set of actionable recommendations aimed at reshaping health governance and multi-agency coordination across Cameroon. Key proposals highlighted the urgent need to launch a unified national platform to serve as the official IHR authority, improve communication between sectoral focal points, and deepen community engagement during health crises.

Perfecting this strategic document represents a decisive milestone for Cameroon as it aggressively aims to boost its global health security performance and shield its citizens from future biological emergencies.