28/04/2025
Strengthening the Fight Against Hepatitis B: Tubah Takes Action
by NGWI Brandy
In a significant move to tackle the burden of hepatitis B in Cameroon, Community Vision Group (CVG), in collaboration with the Tubah Council, organized a stakeholder engagement workshop aimed at strengthening the fight against the virus. The event convened policymakers, healthcare professionals, community and religious leaders, civil society organizations (CSOs), as well as pregnant and lactating mothers, to develop actionable strategies promoting the uptake and timely administration of the hepatitis B birth dose—ideally administered within 24 hours of birth—as part of routine immunization efforts.
Funded by the Task Force for Global Health (TFGH)/the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination (CGHE).
The workshop highlighted the public health threat posed by hepatitis B in Cameroon and emphasized the critical role of early vaccination in preventing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT).
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Tubah’s First Deputy Mayor, Lord Mayor Nsaboh Nelson, warmly welcomed CVG and praised the timeliness of their intervention. He remarked,
“The health and well-being of our people, especially newborns, remain a top priority for the Tubah Council. Hepatitis B is a major public health concern, and its prevention, particularly through timely birth dose vaccination, is critical in safeguarding the health of our future generations.”
He added,
“Unfortunately, access to the hepatitis B birth dose vaccine remains a challenge in many communities, including ours. This initiative, therefore, could not have come at a better time.”
Also present was Dr. Ndzi Williams Nkuh, representing the Tubah District Medical Officer. He commended CVG’s ongoing efforts in hepatitis B screening, awareness raising, linkage to care, and birth dose advocacy. He also applauded the Minister of Public Health, Dr. Manaouda Malachie, for reinforcing national immunization efforts. Dr. Ndzi stated,
“As a medical practitioner, I have witnessed firsthand how lives, families, and dreams have been shattered because of this virus. The Minister’s decision to mandate the hepatitis B birth dose for all newborns—not just those born to hepatitis-positive mothers—could not have come at a better time.”
He stressed,
“With a considerable increase in hepatitis cases, early vaccination at birth is an essential step towards minimizing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) and improving immunization efforts nationwide.”
During a working session, stakeholders discussed strategies to enhance the implementation of hepatitis B vaccination programs, identified challenges in administering vaccines, and proposed solutions to improve vaccine uptake within the municipality.
The Divisional Officer for Tubah Subdivision, Massango Metougue Narcisse, also participated in the workshop. He appreciated the relevance and urgency of the intervention, sharing a personal story about a relative’s struggle with hepatitis B:
“I witnessed my brother lose his dream of becoming a priest after being diagnosed with hepatitis B, a dream he had nurtured since childhood. Learning that the virus was incurable devastated him mentally.”
Reflecting on the workshop, he added,
“Based on what i have learned in this program, children born with hepatitis face even graver challenges, such as liver cancer and cirrhosis, which can crush their hopes and aspirations. So, it is imperative for us, as a community, to unite and fight this disease, so our children can live to their fullest potential.”
In a powerful demonstration of commitment, all stakeholders signed a commitment document, pledging to work collectively to enhance vaccine uptake and advance the fight against hepatitis B in Cameroon.
World Health Organization (WHO) World Hepatitis Alliance Gilbert Ngwaneh Miki Ntang Julius Meleng Akwanga Elijah Solange Bongam Fai Neris Chia Humbert Ethienne Chia Nforshi Hope Bahri Ngwi Brandy