The Mapé River was turned into a reservoir in the 1980s and its tributaries now literally cut off many people in the region from their surroundings. Most of the people who live in its catchment area live in extreme poverty. To get from their village to the neighboring village or even to the health center or hospital, they first have to cross the river and the dam by boat and cover long distances on difficult paths.

The expansion of the water area has greatly changed the ecology of the region and favors the spread of neglected tropical diseases. However, the new river arms also exacerbate the remote geographical location of the many people affected by poverty in the project area. In addition, the roads are barely passable during the rainy season from May to September. Many people are therefore unable to visit a health post or hospital within a reasonable time. If they do, the transportation costs plunge them into even deeper poverty. Mother-child health is on shaky ground; there are no vaccination services. Only the villages in the immediate vicinity of the dam are supplied with electricity, and very few have cell phones. Most of the health posts and the district hospital are also not connected to the electricity and water networks. In addition, the health personnel are often not sufficiently trained.

Thanks to the "Mapé" health project, particularly disadvantaged people receive urgently needed access to health care. People affected by neglected diseases are registered, referred and treated by qualified FAIRMED employees. Complicated cases receive support. People with disabilities are empowered by organizations representing them to deal with the laws for their promotion and protection, the management of their own organizations, the prevention of disabilities and access to national disability cards.

Our local staff ensure that health facilities in the project area are equipped with medicines and medical supplies as needed and that health staff and health workers are trained on issues such as NTDs. In addition, traditional birth attendants and healers are trained and integrated into the project activities.

The main objective of the project is to strengthen the health system in Malentouen, Bankim and Yoko and to provide better access to health for the disadvantaged population groups living there. To achieve this overall goal, the project pursues the following specific objectives, which will be achieved through the activities listed below, among others:

The Expansion of the integrated system for monitoring and treating neglected tropical diseases in the health districts of Malentouen, Bankim and Yoko

• The competencies of health personnel and communities are strengthened in the detection, referral, integrated treatment and documentation of cases of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), including through training.

• Integrated diagnosis & treatment of NTD cases are ensured.

• The commitment of all community actors in the project is strengthened.

Improving access to health services for mothers, newborns, young children and disadvantaged population groups

• The involvement of project stakeholders in promoting maternal and newborn health is encouraged.

• The use of health services for mothers and newborns by the disadvantaged population groups (e.g. Bedzang women) in the health facilities is increased.

People with disabilities and the indigenous Bedzang are encouraged to claim and assert their rights and to participate in health-related decisions and their implementation

• Persons with disabilities and Bedzang communities are empowered through their organizations to promote and protect their rights, especially their health.

• The Bedzang community and persons with disabilities are involved in the management and decision-making related to their health through their organizations.

• Promote community-based rehabilitation for persons with disabilities in the project communities of Magba, Yoko and Ngambe Tikars.

All FAIRMED projects are implemented in cooperation with the local official agencies and with the inclusion of the population on the ground. The regional FAIRMED country offices are staffed exclusively by local employees. With this approach, and aided by consistent monitoring, problems can be identified in a timely manner, causes can be analysed, and methods and objectives can be adapted where necessary. The direct integration of health ministers and partner organisations also ensures that projects can be transferred at a later point and continued without the support of FAIRMED.

Around 233,000 people are beneficiaries of the project. There is a particular focus on disadvantaged population groups such as pregnant women, young children, people with disabilities, the indigenous Bedzang population and people who have fled the socio-political crisis in the north and south-west of Cameroon.