Publication: Healthcare in Cameroon: Systemic Challenges and Their Impact on Public Health
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Type
Thesis
Degree
BA
Date
3rd
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Published Version
Abstract
This study investigates the systemic challenges facing Cameroon’s healthcare system
and their implications for public health outcomes. Motivated by both scholarly gaps
and personal experience, the research aims to amplify understanding of the structural
barriers undermining healthcare delivery in Cameroon, particularly in the aftermath
of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key issues include limited access to essential medical resources, severe healthcare
personnel shortages, geographic inequities, and high out-of-pocket costs that
exacerbate health inequalities.
Adopting a qualitative research the study utilized thematic analysis to examine
responses from healthcare professionals across multiple regions in Cameroon.
Data were collected through open-ended surveys distributed via snowball and
self-selection sampling strategies, which allowed flexibility given the constraints of
respondent availability. Thematic findings were mapped against the World Health
Organization’s six domains of healthcare quality: safety, effectiveness,
patient-centeredness, timeliness, efficiency, and equity.
Five major themes emerged: systemic resource limitations, equity gaps in access to
care, neglected and untreated health conditions, coping mechanisms among
healthcare workers, and workforce stress. These results demonstrate a recurring gap
between healthcare policy and reality, with frontline staff members usually making
personal sacrifices to make up for institutional shortcomings.
By providing context-specific perspectives from healthcare providers, the study adds
to the conversation on healthcare reform in low- and middle-income countries
(LMICs). In order to improve healthcare outcomes in Cameroon, it highlights the
pressing need for equity-driven policies, regulatory changes, and sustainable funding.