Cameroon’s Bold EMS Overhaul Sets New Benchmark for Africa’s Emergency Care Reform
With strong global partnerships and a clear vision, Cameroon is taking bold steps to build a resilient, life-saving emergency care system for all. (Source: Fotor AI)
A Strategic Turning Point in Public Health
In a landmark move, Cameroon is undertaking a nationwide overhaul of its Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system—one that could serve as a reference model for countries across Africa. The reform initiative follows a comprehensive Emergency and Critical Care System Assessment (ECCSA) conducted between September and October 2024, with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
The assessment, officially validated in April 2025, evaluated the entire emergency care ecosystem—including governance, financing, service delivery, transport, data, and rehabilitation—engaging over 170 stakeholders from all ten administrative regions of the country.
Critical Gaps Identified
The ECCSA uncovered major systemic vulnerabilities that currently hinder Cameroon's ability to deliver life-saving emergency care. Key challenges include:
Lack of Legal and Strategic Frameworks: Cameroon has no formal national plan or legal instruments governing emergency care across prehospital, hospital, or rehabilitation settings.
Limited Access and Infrastructure: Fewer than 25% of the population has access to prehospital services, and less than a quarter of hospitals meet minimum emergency unit functionality standards.
Weak Coordination and Data Systems: The absence of a unified national patient record system and fragmented emergency call lines severely impair coordinated responses and outcome tracking.
Human Resource Shortages: There is a critical deficit of trained emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and drivers, with limited training infrastructure.
Neglected Rehabilitation Services: Post-emergency rehabilitation is not integrated into the national strategy, and emergency blood transfusion services remain unreliable.
A 15-Point Strategic Roadmap for Reform
In response, Cameroon’s Ministry of Public Health has developed a 15-point strategic roadmap to build a resilient, equitable, and sustainable emergency care system. This ambitious agenda addresses five key areas:
1. Governance and Legal Frameworks
Establish a national EMS strategy and formal legislation to regulate emergency services from the community level to hospital and rehabilitation care.
2. Sustainable Financing
Launch a dedicated emergency response fund to reduce reliance on ad hoc resources and ensure long-term financial stability.
3. Data and Quality Improvement
Implement a standardized data management framework to track care quality, inform resource allocation, and guide policy decisions.
4. Workforce and Training
Roll out extensive capacity-building programs to train EMTs, drivers, and healthcare professionals in emergency response.
5. Transport and Logistics
Expand ambulance coverage and strengthen the medical transport system by improving supply chains and enhancing vehicle availability.
Other priorities include integrating emergency preparedness and community outreach programs, developing national emergency care standards, and enhancing communication infrastructure with a unified emergency call number backed by a legal mandate.
Political Will and Global Partnerships
The Cameroonian government has signaled a strong political commitment to these reforms. By aligning closely with WHO recommendations and leveraging support from KOICA and other global partners, the Ministry of Public Health aims to institutionalize change through multisectoral collaboration.
This marks a significant step not only for Cameroon but for the broader African region—highlighting how coordinated leadership, evidence-based planning, and international cooperation can drive transformative change in public health systems.
🚀 Connect with Global Leaders in Aging & Care Innovation!
Sourcingcares links international partners in aging care, long-term care, and health technology, fostering collaboration and driving solutions for a changing world. Our initiatives include Cares Expo Taipei, where the future of elder care takes shape!
🔗 Follow us for insights & opportunities:
📌 Facebook: sourcingcares
📌 LinkedIn: sourcingcares
📍 Explore more at Cares Expo Taipei!
Source：
