Perceptions of Contributions by International & Non-Governmental Organizations (IOs and NGOs) in the Health Care System of Buea & Limbe Municipalities, Cameroon

Abstract

Health is a very important part of any individual and the community as a whole. For this reason, many agencies both state and private as well as International Organizations (IOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have been working the provision of health care services in Cameroon. This research evaluates the contribution of IOs and NGOs in the Health System of the Buea and Limbe Municipalities located in the South-West of Cameroon. The research hypothesizes that the perception of IOs and NGOs operating the Health System of the Buea and Limbe Municipalities has not improved the health system. The primary data for the study were obtained from field observations and 158 questionnaires were administered in the Buea and Limbe municipalities. Interviews were conducted on 20 health professional practitioners. Data collected were statistically analyzed and Chi-Square test was used to test the validity of the hypothesis. The results obtained show that IOs and NGOs have contributed in the health systems of the Buea and Limbe Municipalities by: educating these communities on health-related issues, subsidizing patient’s hospital bills, organizing vaccination campaigns and community dialogues, distributing mosquito nets, providing drugs, and sanitization campaigns. To limit the spread of Corona Virus (COVID-19), these NGOs and IOs provided face masks, soaps and hand sanitizers.