Status of the epidemic
The HIV/AIDS has progressed exponentially in Cameroon over the last 15 years. With an average prevalence rate estimated at 0.5%. Cameroon had, in 1995, a low HIV/AIDS prevalence. Since 1999, it has ranked among the worst hit 25 countries in the world, with a prevalence rate estimated at 11.82 % in 2002. From 21 cases in1987, present statistics show a cumulated number of 510 000 cases, including 43 000 children, since the epidemic started in the country. 90% cases are attributed to sexual relations and the youth population aged between15 and 29 are the most affected.
The national strategy
The National Strategic Plan against AIDS, developed with the coordination of the Ministry of Public Health and benefiting from UNAIDS technical support, is the outcome of numerous inter-ministerial consultations and discussions with the business community, NGOs and the civil society. Its main objective is to enhance national response to the AIDS epidemic, and to keep, as far as possible, national prevalence below the critical threshold of 10%. It is a policy document of threefold interest to the Government and the country as a whole. This plan confirms the commitment of the Head of State and of Government to continue to provide to the population preventive care and, as far as the available means allow it, curative and promotional care accessible to all. The plan also lays the basis of a collaboration reached by consensus between Government, the various national players, bilateral and multilateral partners involved in the fight against AIDS in Cameroon. Finally, the plan provides a framework for assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS while respecting medical ethics and human dignity.
Concretely, the plan aims to urge the young Cameroon generation aged between 5 and14 to adopt a healthy mode of life in a wider HIV/AIDS context, to urge adults to realise that they are living in a world where HIV/AIDS is rife and that they must adopt less risky behaviours, and to urge the Cameroon society to express solidarity towards those living with HIV/AIDS.
The private sector
Cameroon has a dense private sector, with proper structures to fight AIDS. There are two platforms or coalitions.
The Plateforme de Coordination Groupe d'Entreprises (PCGE) is the most ancient one, created in 2004. The founding member companies are: ALUMCAM, CAMRAIL, CFAO, CIMENCAM and SABC. They were joined by TOTAL, Hôtel Ibis (ACCOR), Gras Savoye, Tractafric (OPTORG). AES, SONEL, SDV, ORANGE and HYSACAM should be following.
The Business Coalition against AIDS is more recent. Created in March 2006, it is expected to respond to the more specific needs of SMEs and SMIs .
Contact:
Jean Booh, President of PCGE
SIDA-ENTREPRISES member companies in Cameroon are
ACCOR : Hôtel Ibis
Air Liquide
Ascoma
BGI
Bolloré : SDV
CFAO : CAMI
Compagnie fruitière
CALYON
Gras Savoye
MSD
SANOFI-AVENTIS
Société Générale
SOGEA-SATOM
SOMDIAA : SOCUCAM
TOTAL
Available documentation
PCGE Statutes (available soon)
Latest update: October 2006
