The United States and Cameroon have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen their partnership in health. The signing ceremony was attended by officials from both countries, including Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute and Minister of Public Health Manaouda Malachie.
Ambassador Christopher J. Lamora represented the United States at the event. In his remarks, he said, "This MOU is a testament to the enduring partnership and shared commitment between our two nations to advance the health and well-being within our countries and globally."
He emphasized Cameroon's strategic importance in Central Africa, noting that developments in the country can impact the region in areas such as counterterrorism, maritime security, migration, and disease control. Ambassador Lamora stated, "Cameroon and its leaders are vital partners with whom the United States has long had a fruitful collaboration rooted in mutual respect and a shared vision for a healthier, more secure future."
Over the past twenty years, U.S. government investment in Cameroon's health sector has totaled over $1.1 billion (more than 640 billion FCFA). This funding has supported programs like PEPFAR—the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief—which has provided HIV/AIDS treatment to over 400,000 people across all ten regions of Cameroon.
The partnership also includes efforts against malaria through initiatives such as bed net distribution and improved diagnostics. These measures have helped protect more than two million children in northern Cameroon and contributed to a 35 percent reduction in child mortality.
In addition to disease-specific programs, U.S. support has included building an Emergency Operations Center, training over 2,000 field epidemiologists—referred to as “disease detectives”—and strengthening disease surveillance systems.
The new MOU outlines further cooperation under the America First Global Health Strategy. According to Ambassador Lamora: "With this MOU, the U.S. Government will invest, over the next five years, an additional $400 million...to support the health workforce, strengthen outbreak surveillance, improve supply chains, expand data systems, and enhance laboratory capacity." The government of Cameroon will increase its own health spending by $450 million during this period.
Ambassador Lamora expressed appreciation for Cameroonian leadership and thanked both governments’ teams for their ongoing collaboration. He concluded: "As we sign this MOU, let us reaffirm our commitment to working together in pursuit of a healthier, safer, and more prosperous future for the people of Cameroon and the United States."