New Kidney Disease Screening Project Targets 30,000 in SW, Littoral

The Minister of Public Health, Dr. Manaouda Malachie, launched a Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Screening Project in Buea today, aimed at screening 30,000 to 35,000 people in the South West and Littoral regions within five months.

Implemented by the Health Services of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) the project is funded by the Ministry of Public Health. It offers free screenings to combat the growing burden of CKD, a major public health concern in Cameroon.

The launch, attended by administrative officials, health authorities, and PCC representatives, marks a significant step in addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country.

“As a reminder, chronic kidney disease is one of the health scourges of our time as global estimates suggest that it affects approximately one in 10 adults in the general population and more than one million deaths per year,” said Dr. Manaouda Malachie.

Chronic Kidney Disease, a Growing Concern in Cameroon

Chronic kidney disease is a growing concern in Cameroon, driven by the rising rate of risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.

According to health studies, about 10 to 13 percent of Cameroon’s adult population may be affected by CKD.

Many cases go undiagnosed until advanced stages due to limited access to screening and healthcare.

The disease places a heavy burden on patients and often requires costly dialysis or kidney transplants, which are inaccessible to many.

The ongoing socio-political crisis in the Anglophone regions has further strained healthcare infrastructure, exacerbating challenges in early detection and management of CKD.

Project Details and Implementation

The CKD Screening Project, led by the PCC Health Services, has deployed 85 workers across 17 screening sites in the Littoral and South West regions.

Among sites in the Littoral region include PHC Bepanda, Baptist Hospital Bonaberi, Laquintinie Hospital Douala, Nkongsamba Regional Hospital and district hospitals in Mbanga and Edea.

In the South West, screening is available at regional hospitals in Limbe, Buea, and Kumba, as well as Baptist Hospital Mutengene and the Presbyterian Diagnostic and Urgent Care Hospital in Buea.

At these sites, health professionals collect vital health data, including weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, and urine samples.

The data is processed through an AI-powered platform that calculates key indicators such as body metabolic rate, urine creatinine ratio, and estimated glomerular filtration rate to determine kidney health.

Patients receive counseling and, if needed, referrals for follow-up treatment at appropriate facilities.

The Moderator of the PCC, Rt. Rev. Miki Hans Abia, expressed the church’s commitment to extend the campaign to other regions of the country if necessary.

Dr. Nyaah Fidelis, Health Secretary of the PCC, urged Cameroonians to take advantage of the free screenings.

“Don’t wait until it’s too late that you’ll need dialysis to survive. I bet you if you visit the dialysis center you’ll see how those people are suffering. Early detection of CKDs can save your kidneys,” Dr. Nyaah said.

Challenges and Govt Commitment

A notable challenges faced by the project, according to Dr. Nyaah, is poor internet connectivity, which has slowed the AI platform’s operations.

Dr. Nyaah noted that the testing system relies heavily on stable internet, and recent connectivity problems have hampered their operations.

Despite this, the initiative continues to thrive. It aligns with Cameroon’s 2020-2030 Health Sector Strategy and the Universal Health Coverage program launched in 2023, which prioritize the prevention and management of NCDs like CKD.

Dr. Manaouda asserted the government’s proactive efforts to strengthen the healthcare system.

With hypertension, diabetes, and obesity becoming more prevalent in the country, he stressed the need for swift and decisive action to address these risk factors driving CKD.

He said Cameroon remains committed in its effort to fight non-communicable diseases.