Dear HIFA colleagues,
The 8th of April 2026 was an important date for public health in Cameroon with the organisation of the First National Symposium and Round Table for action on chronic NCDs in Cameroon. This event organised by the Reconciliation and Development Association (RADA) was under the patronage of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Cameroon Chief Dr. John Ngute.
The general theme of the symposium was : Nutrition and NCDs. The two day symposium was organized as follows :
Day 1: Theme: Evidence and Policy Action for Strengthening Consumer Protection.
Day 2 Theme: Financing Health and Prevention through Fiscal Policies in Cameroon.
This event was the first major public health scientific event this year. It followed a series of other important public health scientific events since 2025 namely:
2nd Cameroonian Days for the Management of High-Risk Pregnancies 03 - 05 December 2025. Theme : "Preeclampsia: Diagnostic, therapeutic perspectives and specificities of the African woman" ;
1st Edition of the Scientific Days of The National Malaria Control Program December 10 to 12, 2025 ;
2nd Edition of The National AIDS Control Committee Scientific Day. Under the High Patronage of Madam Chantal Biya, First Lady of Cameroon, Goodwill Ambassador.Theme : Triple elimination of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B: From research to action for epidemic control. From December 03 to 04, 2025;
National Health Leadership Award (Abbreviated PALSA in french) in Cameroon, June from 04 to 06, 2025 Theme : "Maternal and Child Health: Current Status in Africa and Perspectives" Under the patronage of the President of the republic of Cameroon, HE Mr Paul Biya.
Cameroon joined Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) in February 2013. A National policy on nutrition and feeding 2015-2035 is operating. However, there is a weak implementation of this policy in regards to the type of food stuffs including drinks sold in Cameroon. According to the SUN (2021) Cameroon has
A National Multistakeholder platform (MSP) established in 2014
SUN civil society network
a number of coordination mechanisms are in progress.
Moreover, there is a multisectorial nutrition development plan 2024-2030. Other documents are in process of being drafted and approved.
The 1st Symposium on Nutrition and NCDs was timely. The following recommendations were made during the symposium based on key policy issues identified :
The passage of the Front of Package Warning Labelling policy with clear instructions on when implementation will begin
The Nutrition Profile Model needs to be finalized and published as it is the basis of the FoP.
Ministry of Mines, Industry and Technological Development needs to ensure that the industry is on board with the regulation and not allow them to delay the process.
A proper, succinct guideline needs to be prepared and distributed in schools and every relevant institution to educate the population on the healthier food choices and how to properly feed especially children.
There is need for massive education, both online and onsite especially in the suburbs
An urgent need for an increase in taxes on Sweetened Beverages (SB) and Ultra Processed Products (UPP) from a health perspective.
Continuous education and health promotion for easy transition when the tax is passed.
Healthier food options should be promoted, made available and affordable.
The revenue generated from the tax should be redirected into the health sector for public health financing.
Main actors need to step up to push forward with these recommendations
Despite the well-established relationship between noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health, mental health considerations were completely absent from the discussions. This omission reflects the ongoing challenges of integrating mental health into primary health care (PHC). It also underscores the need for greater awareness of the important role nutrition plays not only in physical health, but also in mental well-being.
Didier Demassosso
Mental Health Expert
HIFA Country Coordinator For WHO AFRO Region
HIFA Country representative of the year 2014
MHIN Africa Knowledge Exchange Assistant
Member of the African Evidence Network (AEN)
Cameroon Human Right Fellow 2017
http://www.hifa.org
Tel :(237) 670-14-01-23/694-90-20-29
twitter:@DDemassosso
skype: Didier Demassosso
linkedin.com/in/didier-demassosso
HIFA profile: Didier Demassosso is a mental health practitioner, Consultant (WHO , MoPH Cameroon...), Mental health advocate , Youth advocate with 10 years experience in mental health development in Cameroon. He is also a health communicator and educationist. HIFA Country Representative For Cameroon/ HIFA Country Representative of the year 2014 / Regional Coordinator for Africa. He also currently volunteers for the Mental Health Innovation Network Africa as Knowledge Exchange Assistant. https://www.hifa.org/support/members/didier