Life

9, January 2024

Yaoundé to introduce malaria vaccine ⁰

Cameroon will introduce the malaria vaccine on Jan. 22, according to Manaouda Malachie, the country’s minister of public health.

The move is part of concerted efforts to enhance the fight against malaria and reduce morbidity and mortality associated with the disease, the minister said in a statement released Monday night.

“The selected vaccine, Mosquirix RTS, has been chosen by the country based on its pre-qualification, ensuring guaranteed quality, efficacy, and safety for its inclusion in the vaccination programs,” he said. “The vaccine will be offered in both public and private health facilities across 42 health districts. The vaccines provided for children are safe, free, and effective.”

Cameroon took delivery in November last year of 331,200 doses of malaria vaccine, the first consignment to arrive in the central African country.

Malaria is responsible for 70 percent of deaths among children in Cameroon, according to the Ministry of Public Health.

Source: Xinhuanet

17, December 2023

Ireland: Historic launch of Dóchas by Tina Kembo brings Cameroonian writers to world stage ⁰

Dóchas, meaning Hope, is a collection of poems about the beauty, suffering and restoration of humanity. The first chapter focuses on the beauty and good things that exist in the world. The second chapter speaks of the suffering that humanity experiences and the third is on the restoration that comes after.

The event was a huge success and was graced with the presence of prominent Cameroonian and African dignitaries including important guests such as the Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of the Cameroon Concord News Group, the Right Hon. Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai and his beautiful wife Odette Agbaw-Ebai, the renowned property developer Chief Tang Welensky, members of the Open Arms Church Newbridge, one of the lead Pentecostal voices in Ireland Paul Adenle and Eric Njolai a senior Anglophone Cameroon elite to mention a few.

An opening prayer was said and the author, Tina Kembo stepped forward and gave a brilliant remark about the background of the book and expressed gratitude for the support and participation of everyone present. She noted that “to everyone in a dark place, facing a difficult time, experiencing loss, grief, pain, sickness, there is hope for the future. There are good things and people in our world but evil and suffering exists too.”

Afterwards, Tina read out excerpts from the book and the book was launched by her wonderful parents, Anastine Kembo and Edwin Njeta with her dad moonlighting as her Chief Launcher. Her dad described her work as a well-written book with potential for great impact.

Tina Kembo was born in Bamenda, the chief city in the North West region of Cameroon in 1997.

By Njaringi Agbaw-Ebai in Newbridge, Ireland

27, November 2023

Bamenda: Attack on Nigerian actor leaves 5 dead ⁰

At least five people were killed and several others injured in a shooting just before midnight Saturday at a bar in Bamenda, the chief city in the North West region local and security sources said on Sunday.

Nigerian actor Sylvester Madu who is in Cameroon to shoot a movie was the target of the attack that took place in Bamenda.

“Madu was having a drink with other crew members when they (gunmen) arrived and attempted to kidnap him. Security forces were alerted and there was shootout that resulted in the deaths,” a security source in the region said.

The government has blamed separatist fighters who regularly operate in the town for the killings. Some of those who were injured in the raid were rushed to the hospital to receive treatment.

Cameroon’s English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions have been experiencing a separatist insurgency since 2017. Separatists want to create an independent nation in the regions.

Source: Xinhuanet

22, November 2023

Biya regime receives first shipment of GSK’s Mosquirix malaria vaccine ⁰

Cameroon received its first shipment of Mosquirix malaria vaccines manufactured by British drugmaker GSK Plc late on Tuesday, as the nation struggles with the mosquito-borne disease that kills more than 600,000 each year globally.

A batch of 331,200 doses of the vaccine – also known as RTS,S – was offloaded at Yaounde’s Nsimalen International Airport, making Cameroon the first African country to receive the vaccine after the pilot programmes in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi.

Malaria remains one of Africa’s deadliest diseases, according to the World Health Organization, killing nearly half a million children under the age of five, and accounting for approximately 95% of global malaria cases in 2021.

The initial consignment of vaccines will go to 42 out of 203 health districts in the country, Cameroon’s health minister Manaouda Malachie said.

“We lose many compatriots who die because of this disease. Today, we have a vaccine which comes to add to the panoply of measures already rolled out,” Malachie told reporters at Nsimalen.

Inoculations will begin next month or early next year, according to a health official who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.

GSK says more than 1.7 million children in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi have already received at least one dose of the shot, and that it would be rolled out in another nine malaria-endemic countries, of which Cameroon is one, from early next year.

UNICEF representative Juliette Haenni said it was a historic moment to protect children.

“Children are the most concerned. The ones we are targeting are the six to 24 months old – the most vulnerable,” Haenni said.

The WHO says a second malaria vaccine developed by Britain’s University of Oxford, R21/Matrix-M, will become available by mid-2024.

Source: Reuters

30, October 2023

Cameroon’s ongoing battle with Conjunctivitis ⁰

Cameroon is currently plagued by viral conjunctivitis with the capital of Yaounde particularly affected, the country’s health authorities said on Sunday.

“A suspected epidemic of conjunctivitis is currently occurring in our country, with clusters in schools,” Minister of Public Health Manaouda Malachie said.

“I recommend that you observe public health measures and, above all, avoid rubbing your eyes with your hands. In case of complications, go to the hospital,” the minister added.

Ophthalmologists in the country have urged people to take hygienic measures such as washing hands with soap and water after treatment and applying cold compresses to the eyes.

Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is an irritation or inflammation of the conjunctiva, which covers the white part of the eyeball. It is caused by allergies or bacterial or viral infections.

It can be highly contagious and is spread by contact with the eye secretions of an infected person. Symptoms of the disease include redness, itching, and tearing of the eyes. It can also cause discharge or crusting around the eyes.

Source: Xinhuanet

27, September 2023

Back-To-School: Catholic priest, 3 teachers shot in Kembong ⁰

A Catholic priest identified by our Mamfe correspondent as Rev. Father Elvis Mbangsi and three Roman Catholic Mission teachers have reportedly sustained gunshot wounds in an attack on CS Kembong in Eyumojock Sub Division in Manyu.

Unconfirmed reports say the wounded are currently receiving treatment in Mamfe.

Cameroon Concord News understands one of the teachers of the school who managed to escape from the attack also sustained gunshot wounds and is being treated in a health centre in Kembong.

Ever since the Biya Francophone dominated government in Yaoundé launched the 2023 back to school in Southern Cameroons, Ambazonia restoration forces opposed to directives from Yaoundé have overrun successive Southern Cameroons academic establishments.

Two head teachers were killed in the North West region while armed assailants stormed a school in Kumba and killed a female student.

By Kingsley Betek in Mamfe

26, September 2023

Buea: GCE Board registrar dies ⁰

The Registrar of the General Certificate of Education Board, Dang Akuh Dominic has died, the board has said.

The 64-year-old Southern Cameroons elite, who hailed from Menchum Division in the North West Rergion, also served as Inspector General in charge of Bilingualism in the Ministry of Secondary Education, forging a reputation as an outspoken Anglo-Saxon man.

Dang Akuh Dominic died at the Mount Mary hospital in Buea on Monday, an official said. He was also credited with helping to secure and maintain the Anglo-Saxon standard of the GCE amid the war in Southern Cameroons.

The late Dang was appointed Registrar of the GCE Board on January 31, 2018 replacing the well-fed Monono Ekema Humphrey who had been in office since 2006.

By Rita Akana

6, September 2023

Cancer surging among under-50s worldwide ⁰

The number of people under 50 diagnosed with cancer has surged worldwide in the last three decades but it is not fully clear why, a study said on Wednesday.

Cases of cancer among people aged 14 to 49 rose by nearly 80 percent, from 1.82 million to 3.26 million, between 1990 to 2019, according to the study published in the journal BMJ Oncology.

While experts cautioned that some of that increase was explained by population growth, previous research has also indicated that cancer is becoming more commonly diagnosed among under-50s.

The international team of researchers behind the new study pointed to poor diet, smoking and alcohol as major risk factors underlying cancer in the age group.

But “the increasing trend of early-onset cancer burden is still unclear,” they added.

A little over one million people under 50 died of cancer in 2019, up 28 percent from 1990, the study said.

The deadliest cancers were breast, windpipe, lung, bowel and stomach cancers, according to the study.

Breast cancer was the most commonly diagnosed over the three decades.

But the cancers that rose the fastest were of the nasopharynx, where the back of the nose meets the top of the throat, and prostate.

Liver cancer meanwhile fell by 2.9 percent a year.

– Causes remain ‘elusive’ –

The researchers used data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study, analysing the rates of 29 different cancers in 204 countries.

The more developed the country, the more likely it was to have a higher rate of under-50s diagnosed with cancer, the study said.

This could suggest that wealthier countries with better healthcare systems catch cancer earlier, but only a few nations screen for certain cancers in people under 50, the study added.

As well as poor diet, smoking and drinking, genetic factors, physical inactivity and obesity could also contribute to the trend, the study said.

Modelling predicted that the number of global cancer cases in under 50s will rise a further 31 percent by 2030, mostly among people aged 40-49.

The researchers acknowledged that cancer data from different countries varied greatly, with developing nations potentially under-reporting cases and deaths.

Experts not involved in the study said the slower increase in deaths compared to cases was likely due to improvements in early detection and treatment.

Dorothy Bennett, a researcher at the University of London, pointed out that the world’s population grew by roughly 46 percent between 1990 and 2019, accounting for some of the increasing cases.

Two doctors at Queen’s University Belfast, Ashleigh Hamilton and Helen Coleman, said it was “crucial” to work out what was behind the increasing cases.

“Full understanding of the reasons driving the observed trends remains elusive, although lifestyle factors are likely contributing, and novel areas of research such as antibiotic usage, the gut microbiome, outdoor air pollution and early life exposures are being explored,” they said in an editorial linked to the study.

Source: AFP

1, September 2023

Hottest Rapper, Stanley Enow, drops the ultimate pan-African anthem- ‘Take Ova’ ⁰

Long live the King Kong of Afrobeat! Stanley Enow has once again proven his musical prowess with the release of his electrifying single, ‘Take Ova.’ The song is more than just a hit; it’s an anthem of hope, a battle cry of resilience, and a call to arms for Afro descendants worldwide to rise and conquer in the name of the continent’s glory.

Enow’s journey to global stardom reaches its zenith with ‘Take Ova,’ which has stormed its way into the hearts of fans across the globe. The track has taken the music world by storm, showcasing the artist’s signature blend of infectious beats and profound lyrics.

The Maestro’s melody has caught the attention of none other than Greek tycoon Alki David’s Swissx, catapulting ‘Take Ova’ to astronomical heights. With the weight of such a powerhouse backing him, Enow’s unstoppable rise is undeniable.

But that’s not all. The musical maestro has unveiled an eye-popping, jaw-dropping visual masterpiece on his official YouTube channel. Brace yourself for a visual journey that matches the intensity of the track itself.

Enow isn’t new to the winner’s circle. With previous smashes like ‘Parapariparo,’ ‘My Way,’ and ‘Cassanova,’ this multi-award-winning sensation is no stranger to the limelight. His star has shone brightly since bursting onto the scene over a decade ago, and his meteoric rise shows no signs of slowing down.

Beyond the mic, Enow’s talents have extended to becoming a beloved radio and television personality, as well as a captivating voice actor. His versatility knows no bounds, and he continues to amaze and inspire audiences across all mediums.

Whether you’re a die-hard Enow fan or new to the Afrobeat scene, ‘Take Ova’ is a must-listen that transcends borders and unites hearts. Join the movement, feel the rhythm, and embrace the anthem that’s igniting a new era of Pan-African pride!

Ready to be swept off your feet? Tune in to ‘Take Ova,’ which has already been streamed more than 300 million times on such platforms as Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon Music, and witness the magic for yourself.

Source: Shockya.com

23, August 2023

War against Homosexuality: Barbie movie banned in Cameroon ⁰

The American film “Barbie” has been banned in Cameroon for its perversity and promotion of homosexuality, prohibited by the laws of the country.

According to Box Office Pro, an American motion picture industry magazine dedicated movie theatre business, the decision to ban the movie was orally taken by the Department of Cinematography and Audiovisual Productions of the Ministry of Arts and Culture (Minac) on Tuesday August 22, 2023 as it ordered that all cinema halls in the country to remove the movie from their programs.

“This decision comes after the procedure to obtain an exploitation visa for the broadcast of the film, witnessed no opposition. The movie was watched and its broadcast approved some days before its official outing” Declares Box Pro Office on its website.

The decision comes just a week after the movie was broadcast at Canal Olympia, in Douala and Yaoundé, on Wednesday August 16, 2023.

In banning this movie, Cameroon joins countries like Liban, Kuwait and Algeria in fighting homosexuality. In June 2023, Cameroon banned the arrival of French Ambassador for LGBT rights Jean-Marc Berthon who wanted to promote LGBT activities in Cameroon. Recently, the National Communication Council through its President, Joseph Chebongkeng Kalabubsu warned promoters of TV channels and image distributors against the broadcast of films promoting homosexuality.

Source: Cameroon News Agency