By DOH JAMES SONKEY
The Minister of Public Health, Dr. Manaouda Malachie has invited the population of Cameroon’s economic capital to cooperate with health workers when they will come visiting their homes from April 2 to 7, 2020 in search of suspected COVID-19 cases.
Announcing the decision in Yaounde, the Public Health Boss said the measure falls in line with government’s crackdown efforts against this deadly pandemic in the world.
He said the massive search for suspected cases of the COVID-19 in Cameroon is coming at the time when confirmed cases have scaled up to 113.
Reassuring the population that all the confirmed cases are receiving treatment in three major towns of the country; Yaounde, Douala and Bafoussam, the Minister called on any person presenting symptoms similar to those of COVID-19 to immediately contact Public Health authorities through the emergency numbers; 1510, 677 89 93 69, 677 89 43 64, 677 89 76 44, 677 90 01 57 for prompt action in order to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Cameroon.
The mission of health workers to sensitise inhabitants of Douala on the importance of preventive measures to stop COVID-19 in the country will be led by the Secretary of State to the Ministry of Public Health in charge of Epidemic Control, Mr. Alim Hayatou.
In an effort to flatten the curve of the deadly disease, the Public Health authorities are calling on all persons who flew into Cameroon on March 10, 2020 to avail themselves for screening.
The Douala trip will therefore enable health workers to visit homes in order to identify persons at risk of developing symptoms of the COVID-19 so that appropriate measures can be taken to save lives.
According to Public Health authorities, 9 new cases were confirmed on March 27, 2020 in Yaounde, and Ngoumou in the Centre Region and Baleng in the West Region.
The Douala operation is coming also after Cameroon records its 3rd death due to COVID-19, an 80-year-old man.