Statements and Webcast
Cameroon
H.E. Mr. André Mama Fouda, Minister of Health
9 June 2011
- Statement: French (Check against delivery)
Statement Summary
ANDRÉ MAMA FOUDA, Minister for Public Health of Cameroon, said his country had a 5.1 per cent prevalence rate and remained in a situation of widespread epidemic. In 2010, there had been 33,000 AIDS-related deaths, and in spite of awareness-raising, 2011 had seen 50,000 new HIV infections, he said, adding that some 305,000 children had been orphaned. In response, the Government had made the fight against HIV/AIDS a national priority, and the National Strategic Plan had made it possible to obtain positive results.
Thanks to support from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 760 schools had been provided with HIV education as part of the school curriculum for 2009-2010, he said, adding that significant efforts had been exerted to make contraceptives available. An annual average of 20 million contraceptives had been distributed, and the number of female contraceptives given out had increased six-fold. The Government had established a framework to cover the next five years, he said. Under the slogan “Mobilization for an AIDS-free generation”, Cameroon would work towards universal access and realizing the relevant Millennium Development Goals.
Source: GA/11090