In the wake of a decade — long humanitarian crisis, Cameroon has embarked on a transformative journey to bolster its health sector’s resilience and effectiveness. The country’s Health Cluster, initiated in 2018, has been pivotal in orchestrating a coordinated health response amidst conflict, insecurity, and environmental shocks. As global humanitarian priorities evolve, Cameroon is at the forefront of a strategic reorientation, becoming one of eight pilot countries to transition towards nationally anchored coordination mechanisms.
This transition, which is set to be completed by 2027, is not merely a shift in structure but a commitment to localization, efficiency, and national leadership in humanitarian action. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Public Health (MoH), the Health Cluster will gradually transfer leadership and core coordination functions to national authorities. The World Health Organization (WHO) and its health sector partners will continue to offer technical support, ensuring a smooth transition.
The process is meticulously structured around three phases. The first phase, concluded in 2025, aimed at securing political backing and validating the transition framework. The subsequent co-leadership phase in 2026 will see the MoH and WHO sharing coordination responsibilities, paving the way for the final phase where responsibilities will be progressively transferred, culminating in the deactivation of the Health Cluster by 2027.
The transition is not just about transferring functions; it’s about building capacity. It involves the gradual integration of key Health Cluster functions into national and decentralized systems, encompassing coordination, information management, strategic planning, and accountability to affected populations. This process is underpinned by principles such as national leadership, accountability, and respect for humanitarian principles.
A critical aspect of the transition is the strengthening of national systems. Information management will be harmonized across platforms, and health sector planning will align with national strategies. Preparedness and response capacities will be enhanced through joint assessments and simulation exercises. Monitoring, evaluation, and accountability frameworks will be embedded within national systems, with a focus on community engagement and accountability.
The transition is also context — specific, adopting differentiated coordination approaches in different regions. The Far North region will see the implementation of the Area-Based Coordination Plus (ABC+) model, promoting integrated and multisectoral coordination. In the conflict-affected North-West and South-West regions, the Area-Based Coordination (ABC) model will facilitate proximity-based coordination, with a focus on local engagement and adherence to humanitarian principles.
A significant milestone in this process has been the MoH’s formal commitment to the transition. The Minister has designated a national structure to co-coordinate the health sector and has actively engaged in joint coordination mechanisms with WHO. The Minister has also committed to support the progressive engagement of Regional Delegations of Health and Health Districts, especially in the North-West, South-West, and Far North regions.
The transition of the Health Cluster in Cameroon is a strategic opportunity to strengthen the resilience of the health system, enhance response efficiency, and promote sustainable national ownership. Its success hinges on sustained investment in institutional capacity development, effective partnerships, and predictable financing. The WHO will continue to play a pivotal role as the Provider of Last Resort (PoLR), ensuring essential health services are maintained where gaps persist.
This transition represents a significant transformation in humanitarian coordination, illustrating how a structured, phased, and partnership — driven approach can localize coordination mechanisms while preserving operational effectiveness and ensuring sustained access to essential health services for vulnerable populations.
Source: reliefweb
Original author: World Health Organization
