Cameroon, PCC Roll Out Free Kidney Screenings, Pledge Access for Persons with Disabilities

By Princeley Njukang, Cameroon
The Government of Cameroon and the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) have launched a nationwide initiative to provide free kidney screenings to over 35,000 Cameroonians, with an emphasis on ensuring that the process is inclusive and accessible to all—including persons with disabilities (PWDs), who often face greater health disparities.
The Chronic Kidney Disease Project, officially launched in Buea on Thursday, August 21, 2025, will be implemented by the PCC’s Health Services Department across the Littoral and South West regions. Public Health Minister MANAOUDA Malachie said the project was designed to promote early diagnosis of kidney-related problems, which currently affect about 10% of Cameroonians.
The minister explained that the screenings are fully funded by government, making them free to the public. He stressed that prevention is more cost-effective than treatment, which is why government is prioritizing subsidized preventive measures such as early diagnosis.
“Government is committed to taking proactive measures to address the prevalence of non-communicable diseases,” Malachie said, noting the growing recognition of how social determinants of health—such as income levels, education, and living conditions—affect outcomes for Cameroonians.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has long argued that these determinants have a significant impact on human health, particularly in developing countries where access to care is often tied to financial means. By making kidney screenings free, experts believe that more Cameroonians will benefit from early detection, reducing the number of people who progress to severe illness. Though official data on kidney disease prevalence is scarce, health professionals warn that the rate is much higher than previously estimated.
“Chronic kidney diseases are included in the Universal Health Coverage package, which shows you the importance we attach to it,” the Minister said. Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is Cameroon’s flagship health reform program, designed to guarantee essential services—such as kidney care, maternal health, and child immunization—without financial hardship. Officials believe that combining early diagnosis, free screenings, and subsidized treatment under the UHC scheme will lessen both the medical and economic burden of kidney disease on families.
In his address, the Moderator of the PCC, Rt. Rev. Miki Hans Abia, reaffirmed the church’s longstanding commitment to providing affordable healthcare through its network of nearly 30 health facilities and more than 1,000 staff. He pledged to ensure the project’s objectives are met and thanked the government for entrusting the PCC with implementation. “We are combining blood testing and Artificial Intelligence to report results in real time,” he explained.
In the days ahead, Cameroonians—including persons with disabilities—will be able to visit designated centers such as the Presbyterian Diagnostic Urgent Care Hospital in Buea for screenings and diagnosis. Stakeholders urged all communities to take advantage of the free service.
On the sidelines of the launch, Minister Malachie visited the Buea hemodialysis center, inspected the site of the Buea University Teaching Hospital—stalled since the start of the Anglophone Crisis—and inaugurated a modern medical oxygen plant at the Limbe Regional Hospital.