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The Cameroonian government has called on its citizens to more than ever respect measures to prevent the COVID-19 spread.
In a recent tweet, health minister, Dr Manaouda Malachie said, “It is important to remember that the measures prescribed by the Head of State, particularly with regard to gatherings, are still in force”.
“Marriages, celebrations, funerals and all other events should take them into account. This is imperative for everyone,” he added.
The minister went on to post images of him inspecting newly purchased vehicles and equipments to be used in the anti COVID-19 campaign.
The 25 Ambulances, he said, “are, among other things, the assets of Covid-19, meant to strengthen our medical monitoring system throughout the national territory. We continue to resolutely implement our agenda of transforming the Cameroonian health system”.
The minister has however not had it easy with observers who say he and the entire government are continually failing to match their words with action.
In addition to the lack of followup for the respect of set measures, government officials have been blamed for setting a bad example as many are seen in public without facemasks, as well as organising heavily attended functions where little or no attention is paid to prescribed physical distancing measures.
Even the county’s number one statesman, 88-year-old President Paul Biya has been seen wearing a facemask just about once or twice since the pandemic started last year.
He has however received several dignitaries and diplomats and is always seen without any form of protection.
While the county’s National Day, new year wishes to the president and Youth Day celebrations were all cancelled due to the pandemic, heavily attended concerts are still the order of the day.
Locals also go about their businesses without any intense protective measures, as some of those wearing protective gear are often mocked for being ‘scared’.
The armed forces are not left out. President Paul Biya for the first time in decades failed to officiate the graduation ceremony at the Combined Services Military Academy, EMIA this weekend, an absence attributed to the pandemic.
During the event, everyone was urged to respect the necessary protocol, till the end of the ceremony. The ministry of defence however later shared images of hundreds cadets crammed up for a graduation photo, all with masks off.
Though the situation in Cameroon has been relatively mild, the health ministry announced days ago that the number of new cases was on the rise.
It also said it was getting 100,000 vaccines from China, but they would be used only in case of extreme necessity.
Mimi Mefo Info
