By Nformi Sonde Kinsai
The Permanent Secretary of the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), Dr. Albert Zeh Meka, has announced that specific measures and interventions will be implemented to combat the growing threat of urban malaria.
Dr. Zeh Meka made the disclosure in an interview in Yaoundé at the close of Cameroon’s first-ever scientific conference on malaria, held from December 15 to 17, 2025. Assessing the proceedings, he stated that the event provided crucial insights, particularly into the emerging challenge of malaria in cities.
“There is a lot that has been done concerning urban malaria. Our cities are growing, so we must start taking measures on how to adapt to the changing dynamics of the mosquito. As such, we have to put in place specific activities and interventions to fight urban malaria,” he stated.
Urban malaria is a growing concern linked to rapid, unplanned urban growth. Conditions such as stagnant water, poor sanitation and improper waste management create ideal breeding grounds. This is exacerbated by adaptable mosquito species like Anopheles stephensi, shifting malaria from a predominantly rural disease to an urban one. The urban poor are often most at risk due to substandard housing and limited healthcare access.
The phenomenon is detailed in the World Health Organization (WHO) framework: “Responding to Malaria in Urban Areas.” It notes that traditional rural control strategies are often ineffective in complex urban settings, necessitating integrated approaches focused on urban planning, sanitation and targeted vector control. Sustainable solutions must, therefore, focus on managing urban development to reduce breeding sites and implementing targeted control of species like Anopheles stephensi.
Regarding nationwide strategy, Dr. Zeh Meka said the conference, which gathered researchers from across Cameroon, would directly influence policy.
“We learned a great deal on several aspects like resistance. We had a lot of information shared concerning mosquito nets, misinformation around vaccines, and so on,” he said.
He confirmed the first practical change would be in procurement.
“From the studies presented, we are driving towards using new-generation mosquito nets because significant resistance has been proven. We also learned much about mosquito resistance to insecticides,” he explained.
A key discussion point was sustainable funding.
“You know funding from our partners is progressively declining. There were extensive panel discussions on resource mobilization. Now, the government is taking more responsibility,” Dr. Zeh Meka stated.
He highlighted increased domestic commitment, noting: “In 2025, the government started mobilizing more resources to support the fight against malaria. We were informed by the Ministry of Public Health that from 2026, more resources would be allocated to close the gaps left by our external partners.”
The Permanent Secretary confirmed that insights from the three-day conference would directly guide future actions.
“We learned a lot, and we are going to use this information in decision-making, designing policies, and interventions for the fight against malaria,” Dr. Zeh Meka concluded.