Basel, Switzerland, September 28, 2017//-Novartis and the Ministry of Public Health of Cameroon have signed a framework agreement for the implementation of the Novartis Access program in Cameroon.
The collaboration agreement also includes capacity-building activities with the health services of the Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBCHS) to educate and sensitize the community.
As a first step, Novartis Access medicines will be available in CBCHS hospitals and clinics.The objective is to extend the program to other faith-based organizations throughout the country.
The Novartis Access program provides a range of high-quality drugs against the four most common non-communicable diseases (NCDs): cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory disease and breast cancer. These drugs are among the most frequently prescribed in the world for these diseases.
“Cameroon is increasingly affected by the burden of noncommunicable diseases,” said André Mama Fouda, Minister of Public Health of the Republic of Cameroon. “The government has put in place programs to prevent and control these diseases. Access to high-quality, low-cost drugs is an essential part of our success. Collaboration with Novartis is part of the solution. ”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these chronic diseases account for 31% of all deaths recorded each year in Cameroon, and a survey conducted by the CBCHS shows that the number of visits performed in their health centers in relation to noncommunicable diseases increased by more than 40% between 2011 and 2015.
“We are pleased to help Cameroonian patients better manage their chronic diseases,” said Dr. Harald Nusser, director of Novartis Social Business. “We believe that new approaches such as Novartis Access, which allow governments, the private sector and the social sector to partner, are needed to increase access to medicines and health care.”
Beyond drugs, collaboration will include activities to strengthen health systems in Cameroon. These activities include training of health professionals on screening, diagnosis and treatment of NCDs, community education and awareness activities, and quality control.
“This month, CBCHS and Novartis launched the Know your Numbers campaign to encourage people to learn about their life skills through community outreach and screening, “said Prof. Tih Pius Muffih, Director of CBCHS. “Activities such as this campaign are necessary to ensure effective control of noncommunicable diseases through strengthened health systems and high-quality medicines. ”
The campaign will take place in seven health districts in five different regions. It is expected to reach about 1 million people through education and health control activities in noncommunicable diseases.
Cameroon becomes the sixth country (after Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Pakistan and Uganda) to launch Novartis Access. The first treatments are already available for patients in western Cameroon.
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