Telemedicine, electronic records, and secure networks: Cameroon bets on digital health 🩺

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On May 6, 2025, Cameroon’s Ministry of Public Health signed a five-year agreement with national telecom provider CAMTEL to help digitize the country’s healthcare system. The goal: improve access to care through high-speed, secure internet and connected infrastructure.

Secure internet, telemedicine, and digital health records  🩺

Under the new partnership, CAMTEL will provide hospitals and health centers with secure broadband connections, along with robust data protection systems and access to national data centers.

This infrastructure is key to enabling electronic medical records and real-time patient monitoring. It also paves the way for expanded telemedicine services—allowing patients in remote areas to consult with doctors without traveling long distances.

CAMTEL CEO Judith Yah Sunday Achidi reaffirmed the company’s commitment to better healthcare delivery. She pledged technical support and training for medical teams across the country.

Supporting universal health coverage  📶

The partnership is part of Cameroon’s National Digital Health Plan (2020–2024), backed by a budget of 11.32 billion CFA francs. It complements ongoing efforts to implement universal health coverage, especially in underserved regions where healthcare access remains limited.

With better connectivity, patients in rural areas could soon benefit from remote consultations and follow-ups, closing longstanding gaps in care.

Health Minister Manaouda Malachie emphasized the urgency of the shift, calling digital transformation not just necessary but essential for real-time monitoring and more efficient public health response.

A broader digital transformation  🖥️

This isn’t CAMTEL’s first foray into public sector digitization. In early 2024, the telecom operator was praised for its role in modernizing public administration, including its contributions to SIGIPES, the former national platform for managing civil servant salaries and careers.

Now turning its focus to healthcare, CAMTEL is helping to push Cameroon further into the digital age—making tech a key driver of public service delivery and healthcare equity.

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