Concerned about the rising rate of unvaccinated children in the country, the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and the Family MINPROFF and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), signed a partnership to boost national vaccination cover, in Yaounde.

Witnessed by the Minister of Public Health, André Mama Fouda, the partnership urged women's associations and networks across the country to mobilise unreached children for vaccination. Included are children whose parents overruled vaccination or those who missed the visits of campaign teams.

Speaking at the event, the Resident Representative of UNICEF in Cameroon, Félicité Tchibindat, underscored the role of women in ensuring the vaccination of children, insisting that “it is a right.” She rejoiced at the fact that almost 4,000 women's associations exist in the country, which MINPROFF can make use of in mobilising children for vaccination.

On his part, Minister André Mama Fouda warned that the recent measles epidemics in 74 health districts in the country, risk compromising the 2020 deadline to eradicate the disease. The Minister of Women's Empowerment and the Family, Prof. Marie Thérèse Abena Ondoua, commended UNICEF for the financial and technical support in ensuring the signing of the partnership, announcing that implementation will begin in the Centre and Littoral Regions.

According to UNICEF sources, 56 health districts in the country will be involved in the special campaign by women's groups to reach out to unvaccinated children. But for a start, 15 health districts in the Centre and Littoral Regions, making use of 67 women's groups, will lead the campaign in the second half of this year. The choice of the two regions is explained by the fact that they host the highest number of children whose parents refuse vaccination, UNICEF explained.