Assessing countries capacity for public health emergencies preparedness and response: the joint external evaluation process in Cameroon

Introduction: the International Health Regulation (2005) requires all countries to develop and maintain core capacities for preparedness and response to public health emergencies. The objective of this study was to assess Cameroon's capacities to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats through the Joint External Evaluation process. Methods: data for the 48 indicators within the 19 technical areas of the Joint External Evaluation tool were examined. The scores for the 19 technical areas were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and R.3.4.3 for descriptive statistics (median and interquartile ranges). Results: Cameroon's overall median score was 2 (Min =1, Max=4) and 34/48 indicators (71%) had scores less than 2 on a 1 to 5 scale. The weakest technical areas in the "Prevent" category were antimicrobial resistance, biosafety and biosecurity, and National legislation, policy and financing. In the "Detect" category, the median score was 2. Technical areas with the lowest median scores were reporting and national laboratory system. Emergency response operations, preparedness, medical countermeasures and personnel deployment had the lowest scores in the "Respond" category. Chemical events and points of entry had the lowest score in "Other IHR-related hazards and points of entry" category. Conclusion: recommendations from the Joint External Evaluation to address the gaps should be aligned in a National Action Plan for Health Security and implementation ensured by a high level multi sectoral platform to strengthen IHR core capacities in the country.