Malaria remains one of the leading causes of hospitalisation and mortality in Cameroon, particularly affecting children under five and pregnant women, mainly in vulnerable communities. In the education sector, its impact is reflected in repeated school absenteeism, compromising the learning and future of many children and adolescents.
In order to strengthen prevention and early treatment, it is essential to increase awareness-raising opportunities, both locally and on a mass scale, by mobilising all available channels. It is in this context that the civil society organisation ADES, an implementation partner of the Équité Accès Palu (EAP) initiative in Doumé, has engaged the education sector in collaboration with MINESEC.
On 23 September 2025, the Lycée Technique de Doumé hosted a major awareness-raising session for first-year students. The activity was supported by the school’s management, represented by the headmaster and the head of discipline. This commitment reflects the education sector’s clear desire to play an active role in the fight against this disease.
During the meeting, innovative tools such as the prevention wheel were used to facilitate educational discussions and interactive quizzes. The students participated with energy and enthusiasm, facilitating the dissemination of key messages, including:
- The need to sleep under a long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito net every night;
- The importance of regularly cleaning your living environment;
- The dangers of self-medication and the need to seek professional medical help in case of fever.
Cette activité a démontré l’impact positif d’une approche intégrant le secteur éducatif dans la lutte contre le paludisme. Les élèves, devenus vecteurs de changement, relayeront ces messages au sein de leurs familles et communautés. Pour l’avenir, l’initiative entend élargir ces actions à d’autres établissements scolaires afin de renforcer la prévention et contribuer à une génération mieux informée et protégée contre le paludisme.
