Yaoundé, Cameroon – At the 8th Operational Working Group, health experts and development partners emphasized the need for reforms to enhance access to affordable care for individuals with chronic diseases in Cameroon.
The meeting, organized by the Nkafu Policy Institute on July 16, 2026, centered on the theme “The WHO PEN-Plus Framework: Pathways to Equitable Chronic Disease Coverage through Private Health Insurance in Cameroon. “.
The PEN — Plus Framework, a systematic approach for managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at district hospitals, was presented as a potential solution. Musa Nji, a Health Policy Analyst at the Nkafu Policy Institute, highlighted the framework’s potential to provide private insurers with reliable data on treatment costs and patient management, facilitating the creation of affordable insurance packages for chronic diseases. Cameroon’s current healthcare system places a heavy financial burden on households, with over 65% of healthcare spending paid out-of-pocket.
Chronic diseases, which account for an estimated 38% of all deaths in the country, exacerbate this issue. Many private health insurance schemes in Cameroon do not adequately cover long-term conditions, often excluding pre-existing illnesses or imposing high premiums.
The meeting also featured discussions on the importance of engaging insurance providers with the NCD community. Ferdinand Sonyuy, CEO of the Reconciliation and Development Association (RADA) and Secretary-General of the Cameroon Non-Communicable Disease Alliance, emphasized the need for insurance companies to view chronic disease coverage as both a public health responsibility and a business opportunity.
The Operational Working Group called for comprehensive reforms in the healthcare sector, including the adoption of the WHO PEN — Plus Framework and increased private sector involvement in the implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The goal is to ensure that chronic disease patients receive the care they need without facing financial barriers, thereby strengthening Cameroon’s broader health financing system.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Panafricanvisions
Source: Pan African Visions
