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Cameroon Doctors Begin Home'¯ Consultations'¯ for '¯COVID-wary Patients

Anne Nzouankeu

   YAOUNDE - The U.N. Population Fund says many women'¯are reluctant to
   seek medical care at health facilities for fear they may be exposed to
   the'¯coronavirus. In Cameroon, a nonprofit group
   of'¯doctors'¯has'¯started to make home visits, the first program of its
   kind in the country.'¯

   25-year-old'¯Jeanne'¯Ngono'¯said '¯she has a health condition that
   requires regular monitoring.

   But'¯she's hasn't been to the hospital for four months because she's
   afraid of being exposed to the coronavirus.

   Instead,'¯a doctor from'¯nonprofit group SOS Doctors'¯Cameroon'¯is
   visiting her at home.

   She saidshe feels safe at home compared to the hospital. When you go to
   the hospital, saidNgono, you don't know who you're going to meet on the
   way; the taxis you'll take; who is sick or not.

   Like'¯Ngono, many people around the world are afraid to go to
   hospitals, according to'¯the U.N. Population Fund.

   Medical experts say'¯they understand'¯this but'¯urge patients to
   continue to stay in touch with doctors and hospitals.

   Doctor Jean-Berthelot Zambo is with Cameroon's National College of
   Doctors.

   He saidif there are initiatives that can add value, they should not be
   rejected. But in his humble opinion, saidZambo, the hospital remains
   the best place where diagnosis can be made and the patients well
   oriented.

   The group SOS Doctors Cameroon includes 30 doctors in five cities.

   Patients can ask for a consultation on the group's website or Facebook
   page.

   A'¯visit'¯costs about $34, twice the price of a hospital consultation.

   Despite the cost, SOS Doctors Cameroon saidrequests for'¯home visits
   have'¯jumped from about 20 in March to about 100 per month.

   And the medical aid group'¯is continuing'¯to find new ways to provide
   service, saidSOS Doctors Cameroon President Dr. Fernand Ombolo.

   He'¯saidthey realized that it was mostly routine consultations. So, it
   gave them the idea to set up a remote assistance service, which'¯is
   done by WhatsApp, says Ombolo. It allows patients to chat 24 hours a
   day, 7 days a week with a doctor, he said, and to ask any type of
   medical question.

   The demand is expected to only grow.

   Cameroon has confirmed nearly 10,000 COVID-19 cases, one the highest
   number'¯of known infections'¯in Africa.

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