CI-NEWS

Treatment of Covid-19 patients: PM instructs speedy equipment of dedicated health units

2020-06-08

No: 501

Treatment of Covid-19 patients: PM instructs speedy equipment of dedicated health units.

Herein is a press release by the Secretary General of the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Prime Minister, Head of Government, His Excellency Joseph DION NGUTE, on Thursday 28 May 2020 at 10a.m, in the Auditorium of the Prime Minister’s Office, chaired a Cabinet Meeting attended by Ministers of State, Ministers and Ministers Delegate.

This meeting was devoted to the review of Government’s response strategy against COVID-19, as a follow-up to the address of the Head of State to the Nation on 19 May 2020.

At the end of the introductory statement by the Head of Government, the Minister of Public Health presented the epidemiological situation related to the coronavirus pandemic. He indicated that the number of patients tested positive for COVID-19 to date stands at 5 356 cases in Cameroon, among which are 177 deaths and 3, 326 people healed. The Minister of Public Health stated that the increase in the number of patients in recent weeks is mainly due to the laxity observed in the application of barrier gestures, the concealment of infected persons and the clandestine admission of patients in health facilities not qualified to treat people infected with the coronavirus.

In order to increase the capacity to care for COVID-19 patients, specialized treatment centres have been set up in all Regions and will be operational in the days ahead.

The technical facilities of health districts are also expected to be strengthened to improve the management of benign cases of COVID-19 in rural areas.

With regard to the local production of medicines and health equipment, the Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation announced that the manufacture of alcohol-based hand rubs and protective masks has been completed, in compliance with the standards laid down by the Cameroon Standards and Quality Agency and the World Health Organisation. These products have been made available as a priority to the Ministries of the education sector, in view of the resumption of classes. In addition, the process of endogenous production of drugs, screening tests, vaccines and other health equipment for the fight against COVID-19 is being finalized.

With regard to the resumption of classes at the various levels of education, measures have been taken by the Ministers of Education to ensure compliance with hygiene and social distancing measures within schools and universities. In this connection, a system of staff rotation will be instituted to facilitate the deployment of pupils ad students in lecture halls and classrooms.

With regard to the implementation of the socio-economic support measures decided by the Head of State on 30 April 2020 in favour of companies in difficulty and fragile households, the Minister of Finance confirmed that all the required actions have been completed. In the same vein, the negotiations with bilateral and multilateral partners in the fight against COVID-19 are continuing serenely, at the behest of the Minister of Economy and the other administrations involved.

The final objective is to enable Cameroon to benefit from financial support estimated at about CFAF 294 billion.

With regard to the repatriation of Cameroonians stranded abroad as a result of the closure of borders, the Minister of External Relations said that two contingents of 1,725 persons have already been repatriated, with all expenses borne by the President of the Republic.

Preparations are underway for the repatriation of a third contingent of over 1000 Cameroonians being identified in various countries.

With regard to the opening and closing of off and on Licenses, the Minister of Territorial Administration specified that Administrative Authorities have increased the number of visits to the premises to ensure that the times defined by the decree of 9 November 1990 to lay down the conditions and procedures for the operation of drinking spots are respected, that is, from 6a.m to 9p.m for off licenses and from 6a.m to midnight for on license.

At the end of the discussions that followed these statements, the Prime Minister instructed the Minister of Public Health, among other things, to speed up the work of setting up and equipping health care units and centres dedicated to the treatment of COVID-19 patients, with a view to improving patient care. He was also instructed to publish the list of public and private health facilities authorized to care for people infected with the coronavirus.

To the Ministers of Education, the Head of Government instructed that ail schools and universities should be provided with the health kits required for the protection of pupils, students and teachers. To the other Ministers concerned, the Prime Minister ordered the completion of the remaining outstanding actions.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:20p.m.”

Yaounde, the 28 MAY 2020

(s) FOUDA Séraphin `Magloire

Secretary General,

Prime Minister’s Office

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Treatment of Covid-19 patients: PM instructs speedy equipment of dedicated health units