Healthcare and HIV prevention in Cameroon

Project Number: 134.1029

The health services of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC), Mission 21's partner church, ensure basic medical care for the predominantly rural, disadvantaged population. The Manyemen Hospital treats people as inpatients or in mobile clinics. Due to the political crisis in the Anglophone regions, many internally displaced persons receive help there. In addition, the PCC is committed to helping people living with HIV. With the aid of courses at schools, in church congregations and generally for multipliers, "life skills" are strengthened among young people. A counseling center for questions around sexuality could be opened in Buea in 2019. Unfortunately, gender-based violence is on the rise in the ongoing conflict in the Anglophone regions. Here, the center provides important assistance. In 2021, a training center for the education and training of nurses was opened.

Background information

The state health services in Cameroon are poorly developed. One focus of the project is therefore healthcare provision in rural areas. The PCC runs the «Medical Institutions Manyemen» hospital. Patients - for example with tuberculosis, increasingly leprosy and the HI virus - are treated and advised there. Due to the crisis situation in the Anglophone regions, the number of HIV infections is rising again. The PCC offers help and solidarity for these people. Legal advice, further training and income generation help them to achieve economic independence and reduce the risk of infection. The health services are also aimed at internally displaced persons. The training center for caregivers aims to improve the quality of healthcare in the long term.

Project goals

Improving primary health care in rural areas
Educating the population on health-related topics
Contributions to the livelihood and medical treatment of people living with HIV and the fight against their discrimination and stigmatization.
Education and training measures as well as legal counseling for people affected by HIV, especially for widows and orphans
Reduce the number of new infections through outreach and education.
Education and training for nurses at the Presbyterian Nursing School (PresNuS ), part of the University of Buea

Target group

The project focuses on the rural and disadvantaged population in the South West and North West Provinces. Since the escalation of the political crisis in the Anglophone regions in 2016, which has led to a significant increase in diseases such as leprosy, Manyemen Hospital has also been caring for internally displaced people. Another target group is people living with HIV. In addition, people who carry out educational work, such as healthcare staff and multipliers such as priests and teachers, receive further training. People affected by gender-based violence (GBV) can also receive help. Nursing staff have the opportunity to receive training and further education at the Presbyterian Nursing School.

Activities

Continuous education and training of medical and technical staff
Awareness-raising and educational work on health-related topics in all areas of church work
Public relations and advocacy work, with a focus on ending stigma against people living with HIV.
Help with gender-based violence through medical, psychosocial and legal support
HIV testing and counseling, pastoral care, free distribution of antiretroviral medications, home care, and support for support groups.
Income-generating measures for young people and women

Project progress

The Presbyterian Nursing School (PresNuS) completed its fifth and final year in 2025 with support from Mission 21. It has developed into a strong and sustainable training center, is now affiliated with the University of Buea and is fully managed and funded by the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) - a successful transition to local ownership.

The program to combat HIV and gender-based violence (GBV) achieved a pleasing reach and impact. More than 24,000 people took part in awareness-raising measures against GBV. More than 500 people affected received direct support. Over 100,000 people were reached with information on HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), substance abuse and life skills. Collaboration with other actors in the field of GBV strengthened coordination and referral pathways. And many of those affected remain committed and continue to be active in self-help groups for people with HIV.

However, it is worrying that, on the one hand, the number of identified HIV cases has risen and, on the other, the US government has withdrawn support from USAID. This means that more support is needed from other sources - and this is urgently required.

The Freemind Centre in Buea continued to provide reliable psychosocial support for internally displaced persons, single mothers and young people in 2025, offering a safe place for counseling and care on issues related to sexuality and health.

Manyemen Hospital remains an important point of contact for health services in an area characterized by conflict, insecurity and increasing poverty. The resurgence of leprosy cases underscores the increasing risks to public health and the importance of sustained support for health facilities in the midst of the affected population.

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