On Friday, August 16, 2024, a pivotal interministerial consultation meeting took place, co-chaired by the Minister of State, Minister for Higher Education, and the Minister for Public Health. This significant gathering focused on the training of medical and health personnel by certain higher education institutions in Cameroon. The meeting brought together senior officials from both ministries, the President of the National Order of Medical and Health Personnel [le Conseil de l'Ordre de Professionnels Medico-Sanitaires (OPMS)], and the Executive Secretary of the Association Nationale des Institutions Privées de l'Enseignement Supérieur (ANIPES).
Key Issues Addressed
The meeting was marked by constructive and fruitful discussions on the following three major issues:
1. Registration of Health Professionals:
The discussion centered on the registration of holders of professional degrees, BTS, HND, DSEP, and HPD in health on the roll of the the National Order of Medical and Health Personnel (OPMS).
2. Equivalency of Academic Titles:
The meeting also addressed the delivery of academic titles equivalent to the grades of Baccalaureate/GCE Advanced Level plus 3 and Baccalaureate/GCE Advanced Level plus 5 for holders of State diplomas awarded by the Ministry of Public Health (MINSANTE) after completing three and five-year training programs, respectively.
3. Medical-Health Engineering Qualifications:
The meeting discussed the lack of qualifications in Medical-Health Engineering within the current training cycles in Cameroon.
Jointly Adopted Resolutions
After thorough discussions, the following key resolutions were unanimously adopted:
1. Adjustment of Training Programs:
Beginning with the 2024/2025 academic year, there will be a realignment of the training programs for medical and health personnel within higher education institutions to ensure they comply with the training cycle that leads to the State diploma issued by the Minister of Public Health.
The training of medical and health personnel will now be subject to academic co-supervision by the Ministry of Higher Education (MINESUP) and technical co-supervision by MINSANTE. This harmonization will guide the entry and exit processes for these personnel.
2. Validation of Academic Qualifications:
MINESUP will validate the training courses leading to the award of academic qualifications equivalent to Baccalaureate/GCE A-Level plus 3 and Baccalaureate/GCE A-Level plus 5 for holders of State diplomas awarded by MINSANTE, following agreed-upon procedures.
3. Creation of Medical-Health Engineering Programs:
There will be the creation and launch of a training program for medical-health engineers in accordance with existing legislative and regulatory provisions.
Transitional Measures for Current Students and Graduates
To ensure a smooth transition for current students and graduates holding professional bachelor's degrees, BTS, HND, DSEP, and HPD, the following measures have been agreed upon:
1. Completion of Current Courses:
Students currently enrolled in professional license, BTS, HND, DSEP, and HPD health programs will be allowed to complete their studies according to the existing training curricula for medical and health personnel in Cameroon.
2. National Aptitude Examination:
In October 2024, the Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with the Council of Medical and Health Personnel (OPMS), will organize a national aptitude examination for medical and health professions. This examination will be for holders of professional bachelors, BTS, HND, DSEP, and HPD diplomas to facilitate their registration on the roll of the National Order of Medical and Health Personnel.
3. Professional Training for Non-Admitted Candidates:
Those who do not pass the national aptitude test will undergo specific professional training. This training, jointly determined after evaluating their prior curricula, will culminate in a national certification examination organized by the Ministry of Public Health.
Next Steps: Technical Meetings
To ensure the swift and effective implementation of these resolutions, technical meetings will be held on August 19, 2024, bringing together experts from the various institutions involved.
Closing Remarks
The Minister of State, Minister for Higher Education, and the Minister for Public Health commended all parties for their sense of repartee and the republican spirit that guided the discussions. The resolutions adopted during this meeting are expected to significantly enhance the training and certification of medical and health personnel in Cameroon, aligning it with national standards and improving the quality of healthcare services.
HELP Foundation remains committed to closely monitoring further developments on this issue. We encourage our readers to stay tuned to our blog for ongoing updates and detailed analyses as new information becomes available.
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