This is through the VIVEILLIR project supported by France and the second phase of which was launched on June 19, 2024 in Yaoundé.
It was during a double ceremony which also marked the end of the first phase. Placed under the chairmanship of the permanent secretary of the National Committee to Fight AIDS, Dr Joseph Fokam, the discussions made it possible to assess the first phase of this project, the main objective of which is to improve the quality of life of people aged over 50 living with HIV and/or chronic diseases. This in the two care structures, namely the Yaoundé military hospital and the Bafia district hospital.
Strategy implemented
It thus appears that for this project launched in June 2021, 807 patients were identified at the Yaoundé military hospital, 548 patients at the Bafia district hospital and 3,546 followed in clinics. The strategy adopted focused in particular on three aspects at the clinical level:
-Simplification and standardization of protocols, treatment algorithms for all comorbidities;
-Negotiation with sites for
simple and inexpensive diagnostics, then prescription of generic drugs at reduced cost;
-Training for staff at treatment sites, equipment with screening equipment, support for long-term follow-up.
Difficulties overcome
A strategy implemented despite difficulties encountered in the field, the most recurrent of which were: low skills in community health, care sites poorly prepared for the integration of new approaches and the financial barrier considered as the obstacle important to clinical screening and monitoring of comorbidities.
Efforts which have led to convincing results, namely:
-Better knowledge of caregivers on the importance of managing comorbidities;
-All targeted comorbidities are screened and treated at low or no cost;
-Prevention and support
community provided by associations;
-Good dynamics between associations.
According to Jean-Baptiste Dufourcq,
regional health advisor of the French Embassy, the second phase of the project should continue on the same momentum, this time with the addition of the city of Sangmelima among the beneficiary cities after Yaoundé and Bafia.
Aline-Florence Nguini
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