Traditional Rulers are expected to cause their subject abandon certain repugnant beliefs, and behavioural patterns.
Traditional rulers In Cameroon and particularly those of the North West province, are now expected to play a major role in the fight against the killer disease – AIDS
The North West Province of Cameroon, according to national statistics, has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the country with more than 28.000 people living with the virus. Its 8.7% rate is unevenly distributed at 5.2 for men and 11.9 for women. Consequently more than 50.000 AIDS orphans have also been identified in the Province.
The North West Province of Cameroon, according to national statistics, has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the country with more than 28.000 people living with the virus. Its 8.7% rate is unevenly distributed at 5.2 for men and 11.9 for women. Consequently more than 50.000 AIDS orphans have also been identified in the Province.
Though the 2004 demographic and health survey indicate that some 98% of the population have adequate information about the disease a greater majority still keep to old habits. Statistics from the Provincial Technical Group for the fight against HIV/AIDS show a remarkable increase in the rate of infection.
On this score experts have attributed the annoying increase to vehement denial of serology status by most infected patients, excess alcohol consumption, the practice of widow inheritance, the culture of silence, and the practice of traditional autopsy, late might dances such as “bottle dance”, trial marriages and secret hosting of widows which are still very common among most tribes.
It’s within this backdrop that some 335 traditional rulers of the Province, under the banner of North West Fon’s Union (NOWEFU) took the vow to breakthrough every cultural barrier that hither to impede the fight against the killer HIV/AIDS pandemic in the province.
Reason why NOWEFU executive and a team of North West health officials meet recently at the place of the Fon of Makon to elaborate and adopt a common functioning structure designed to eliminate detrimental customary beliefs and practices through mass sensitization and training in their respective chiefdoms.
“We met within the framework of the partnership agreement recently signed between NOWEFU and the ministry of public health”, said Fon Chafa XI of Bangola, president of NOWEFU.
“The Fons have received the sum of CFA 44m from the ministry of public health to enable them contribute effectively in the fight against HIV/AIDS by rallying their populations and passing the right message. The Fons are expected to cause their subjects abandon certain beliefs and behavioural patterns deemed repugnant to the national strategic programs against the pandemic” he revealed, warning, “The money is not meant to be shared. Its use will be strictly supervised by the provincial technical health committees to ensure that desired results are produced. Defaulters shall be legally implicated”.
Dr. Etongue Mayer Magdalene, coordinator, North West Provincial Technical group for the fight against HIV/AIDS says the aspect of stigmatisation is gradually dying out and that some family members now collect drugs for their infected relative. But that infected mothers are amongst those who are no longer at ease due to the fact that they are forbidden from break feeding their babies. “With the influence of the NOWEFU, the situation will improve” hoped Dr. Etongue, who however frowned at the Bastion of traditional healers and charlatans who claim they cure HIV/AIDS. Some of whom she accused of keeping patients under concoction up to terminal stage before releasing them. Despite the fact that they have been educating and encouraging people to go for voluntary screening, the coordinator expressed regret to the fact that “traditional healers and charlatans operating in enclave rural areas are still doing a lot of harm”.
Dr. Etongue Mayer Magdalene, coordinator, North West Provincial Technical group for the fight against HIV/AIDS says the aspect of stigmatisation is gradually dying out and that some family members now collect drugs for their infected relative. But that infected mothers are amongst those who are no longer at ease due to the fact that they are forbidden from break feeding their babies. “With the influence of the NOWEFU, the situation will improve” hoped Dr. Etongue, who however frowned at the Bastion of traditional healers and charlatans who claim they cure HIV/AIDS. Some of whom she accused of keeping patients under concoction up to terminal stage before releasing them. Despite the fact that they have been educating and encouraging people to go for voluntary screening, the coordinator expressed regret to the fact that “traditional healers and charlatans operating in enclave rural areas are still doing a lot of harm”.
It’s regrettable that though HIV treatment is free in the country, many patients are still not able to afford the compulsory CFA 3.000 meant for pre-therapeutic and follow-up fee as well as the FCFA 1.500 to establish a treatment file. Reason why only 5.218 of some 28.000 eligible patients in the North West Province currently receive treatment, meaning some 23.000 patients still lack access to treatment. On this score she called on government to create more treatment centres in the hinterlands, and equally reinforce medical teams in order for drugs to be transported to enclave areas.
Courtesy - Harry Ndienla Yemti
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