Cameroon

In Cameroon, the Association Comprendre la Maladie d’Alzheimer (A.C.M.A) plays a central role in navigating cultural challenges, providing advocacy and care. This civil society leadership is essential given the absence of a national government strategy. Simultaneously, the country contributes to global research through the University of Yaoundé I, where scientists are studying unique environmental factors, such as the potential link between Onchocerca volvulus infection and cognitive decline in the Ntui Health District.

Overall
AD Rating
Diagnostic Pathway
Cameroon's diagnostic pathway is severely constrained by an acute shortage of neurologists (fewer than 50 nationwide), prolonged outpatient hospital queues, and an absence of effective universal health coverage for cognitive disorders.
Specialized Care
Treatment options are severely compromised by high out-of-pocket health expenditures, with roughly 70% of total health spending financed directly by households.
Caregiver Support
Informal carers absorb an overwhelming long-term care burden with zero state-funded carer allowances or formal respite networks, relying entirely on under-resourced civil society advocacy.
National Policies
Cameroon operates completely without an official national dementia strategy, while archaic legal frameworks mandate binary mental capacity restrictions (interdiction) and penal codes criminalise symptoms linked to supernatural beliefs.
Access to ATT-s
No therapies approved.
Organizations are listed for informational purposes based on publicly available sources. Inclusion does not necessarily indicate affiliation with or endorsement by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI).

Highlights

Health system
Non-Universal, Out-of-Pocket (Mixed Provision)
National dementia plan
Dementia plan funding
No plan
Dementia prevalence rate
114
Dementia incidence rate
20
*per 100k Population
Prevalence Rate (per 100,000): 
This measures the total number of existing cases (both old and new) in a population at a specific point in time, divided by the total population and multiplied by 100,000. It tells you the overall "burden" or how widespread a condition is at that moment.
Incidence Rate (per 100,000): 
This measures the number of new cases that develop in a population over a specific period (usually one year), divided by the population at risk and multiplied by 100,000. This tells you the "speed" or risk of contracting the condition.

Population

30,311,048

Median age

18

Health expenditure (% of GDP)

4.5

Diagnosis

Families entering the health system usually start at district hospitals where general practitioners investigate history, perform brief cognitive tests like the MMSE or CSID, or refer to specialist care. However, Cameroon has fewer than 50 practising neurologists. Outpatients experience prolonged same-day hospital waiting times. CT scans are the most accessible imaging tool across regions, whereas only five operational MRI machines exist. Clinical genetic testing and fluid biomarkers are entirely unavailable locally. All diagnostic costs are paid fully out-of-pocket by patients due to lack of effective universal health coverage.

Diagnosis pathway

When families engage the formal health system, they usually start at district hospitals where general practitioners (GPs), often lacking geriatric training, may initially misdiagnose the cognitive decline.9 GP usually investigates medical history, conducts basic physical exam and brief cognitive screening or refers to another hospital. However, the number of practicing neurologists in Cameroon is estimated to be fewer than 50. In general, the pathway often begins with a nurse or a general practitioner, and not all patients ultimately reach a specialist.

The diagnosis pathway in Cameroon may begin with a prolonged “pre-medical” phase where families, influenced by cultural stigmas, frequently interpret symptoms as normal aging or witchcraft, leading them to consult traditional healers or religious leaders rather than medical doctors., When families eventually engage the formal health system, they usually start at district hospitals where general practitioners (GPs), often lacking geriatric training, may initially misdiagnose the cognitive decline. GP usually investigates medical history, conducts basic physical exam and brief cognitive screening (e.g., MMSE/MoCA) or refer to another hospital. However, the number of practicing neurologists in Cameroon is estimated to be fewer than 50. In practice, the pathway often begins with a nurse or a general practitioner, and not all patients ultimately reach a specialist.

The delay between the onset of symptoms and the first medical consultation is at least one year, as symptoms are often attributed to ageing. Many older adults are brought for consultation only after a first wandering episode or disappearance. The first consultation is usually with a general practitioner or during a health campaign. Families are often overwhelmed by the first signs and do not know where to seek help. ACMA’s work and social-media presence are particularly valuable in this regard. Also, families with prior experience of dementia often do not realize it may be hereditary and therefore do not adopt preventive or screening measures, although genetic testing is not available in Cameroon. In addition to general practitioners, nurses are often the first healthcare professionals to encounter patients, and the absence of a national care pathway results in highly variable diagnostic journeys.

Wait times

There is no nationally published data on waiting times specifically for Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis; however, a local study reports prolonged outpatient waiting times and delays in referrals. The study, conducted in outpatient departments in Douala, found that patients experienced substantial same-day waiting times within hospital-based outpatient care. On average, patients spent 47.6 minutes waiting for registration and a further 84.7 minutes waiting to be seen by a healthcare professional, resulting in a total outpatient department stay of approximately 150 minutes. The study assessed delays occurring during the hospital visit itself rather than referral-to-appointment waiting periods and was conducted in hospital outpatient clinics rather than primary care or general practitioner settings. Also, seeing a neurologist may take two to three days. Weekend specialist consultations can be difficult to obtain, even in emergencies. Patients living in rural areas may wait five to seven days to secure an appointment in a major city.

Diagnosis cost

Mostly or fully covered

The financial costs of Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis are borne entirely by patients and their families. Although Cameroon has recently begun the phased implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), there is currently no effective coverage for Alzheimer’s disease diagnostic services.

The financial costs of Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis are borne entirely by patients and their families. Although Cameroon has recently begun the phased implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), there is currently no effective coverage for Alzheimer’s disease diagnostic services. Diagnosis includes a medical consultation, a CT scan or MRI, and basic laboratory investigations (CBC, lipid profile, etc.). Universal Health Coverage (CSU) does not yet cover cognitive disorders, and very few insurers or mutual health schemes cover people over 70 years old. Patients and families therefore bear the full costs, which may reach US$200 for the initial consultation and around US$30 for follow-up visits, excluding complications.

Cognitive tests

Available

Clinical assessment relies on neuropsychological tools adapted for cultural and educational differences; the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is commonly used in urban hospitals like those in Yaoundé. To address the limitations of the MMSE in low-literacy populations, the Community Screening Interview for Dementia (CSID) has been adopted, particularly for epidemiological studies in rural zones like the Ntui Health District. However, very few general practitioners perform the MMSE, and even fewer nurses do so. Cognitive testing is mainly performed by neurologists. Therefore, if a patient is not seen by a neurologist or geriatrician, cognitive testing may not be carried out.

Imaging tests

Commonly used

Computed tomography (CT) is the most accessible modality and serves as the first-line investigation for the majority of people presenting with cognitive decline or neurological deficits. There is at least one diagnostic imaging center in every region of the country.

Cameroon currently has five operational magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines: two 1.5-Tesla scanners in Yaoundé (one privately owned and one located in a military hospital) and three lower-field 0.3–0.4 Tesla scanners in Douala (one public and two private).

Genetic tests

Clinical genetic testing for Alzheimer’s disease is not locally available and requires people to pay for sample outsourcing to French reference laboratories.

Biomarker tests

Rarely used

There is no evidence that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers or blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease are available for routine clinical use in Cameroon.

Cognitive Tests

Available

Clinical assessment relies on neuropsychological tools adapted for cultural and educational differences; the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is commonly used in urban hospitals like those in Yaoundé. To address the limitations of the MMSE in low-literacy populations, the Community Screening Interview for Dementia (CSID) has been adopted, particularly for epidemiological studies in rural zones like the Ntui Health District. However, very few general practitioners perform the MMSE, and even fewer nurses do so. Cognitive testing is mainly performed by neurologists. Therefore, if a patient is not seen by a neurologist or geriatrician, cognitive testing may not be carried out.

Imaging Tests

Commonly used

Computed tomography (CT) is the most accessible modality and serves as the first-line investigation for the majority of people presenting with cognitive decline or neurological deficits. There is at least one diagnostic imaging center in every region of the country.

Cameroon currently has five operational magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines: two 1.5-Tesla scanners in Yaoundé (one privately owned and one located in a military hospital) and three lower-field 0.3–0.4 Tesla scanners in Douala (one public and two private).

Biomarker Tests

Rarely used

There is no evidence that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers or blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease are available for routine clinical use in Cameroon.

Treatment & Care

Specialised facilities are extremely limited and concentrated in major cities, primarily at Yaounde Central Hospital and Douala General Hospital. Public day centres are absent, and palliative care is patchy, mostly operated in specific regions by faith-based organisations with significant rural gaps. No official data specifies approved dementia medications. Families bear roughly 70% of healthcare costs out-of-pocket because formal social insurance provides restricted, non-universal coverage. State-funded financial support for carers does not exist; instead, small-scale non-financial training and counselling are provided by urban-centred advocacy groups.

The country has two geriatric departments, located at Douala General Hospital and Yaoundé Central Hospital. According to publically available information, there are no cognitive-behavioural units or memory clinics in Cameroon. There are a few residential facilities for older adults, but these are not specialized in dementia care. Patients and families pay the full cost of care because dementia is not covered under the CSU and very few insurers cover older adults.

Specialized facilities and services

Memory clinics and specialist services are highly limited and concentrated in major cities, notably at Yaounde Central Hospital and Douala General Hospital. Public residential safety nets and day centres are lacking, with Le Village de l’Amour targeting homelessness and severe mental illness rather than dementia. Palliative care facilities are unevenly distributed and predominantly run by the faith-based Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, anchoring end-of-life care in specific regions. Overall, dementia palliative care remains patchy, with severe gaps in workforce training and reduced access for rural patients.

Memory clinics and specialist services for Alzheimer’s disease in Cameroon are very limited and concentrated in major cities. The Neurology Department at Yaoundé Central Hospital is a historic pillar of neurological care in the country. The Douala General Hospital (DGH) is a major referral center for neurological care in Cameroon, where patients with dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders are assessed and managed through its specialized Neurology Unit.

Day-centers and community adult-day services for people living with dementia are not well documented online. The only notable public residential safety net is “Le Village de l’Amour” in Yaoundé, though it primarily targets people experiencing homelessness living with severe mental illness rather than functioning as a standard dementia day center.

Palliative care facilities are unevenly distributed and are predominantly operated by the faith-based Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS) rather than the government. This network anchors end-of-life care in the Northwest and Southwest regions through institutions like Baptist Hospital Mutengene and Mbingo Baptist Hospital, which offer nurse-led home care and pain management. Palliative and end-of-life care for dementia is developing but remains patchy: research shows some progress in hospital and home-based palliative services, yet important gaps in workforce, training and nationwide coverage persist. Most palliative care activity (including home-based support) is delivered in urban areas or via specific programmes and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), meaning rural and smaller-city patients have substantially reduced access.

Approved medication

*Namzaric = combination of Donepezil and Memantine

Treatment cost

Formal social insurance (CNPS) reimburses certain medical care for contributing formal-sector workers and their dependents, but CNPS does not publish an Alzheimer-specific medicines benefit schedule online and coverage is limited to contributors (not the informal sector), so CNPS may reduce bills for some services but does not appear to provide routine, nationwide, full coverage of Alzheimer’s disease drugs or long-term care.

Most evidence shows people pay the majority of care costs out-of-pocket; national data and health-system analyses report around 70% of health spending in Cameroon is financed by household out-of-pocket payments, so families typically bear direct costs for drugs, clinic visits and informal care.

Approximately US$12 per month for locally available treatment. Costs are considerably higher when comorbidities, dependency, or loss of autonomy are present

Caregiver support

There is no evidence of a national, state-funded financial support scheme specifically for carers of people living with Alzheimer’s disease in Cameroon. Social insurance (CNPS) offers benefits to formal-sector contributors but does not provide a defined carer allowance or universal dementia support, and national palliative-care reviews report limited government funding for palliative and carer services, so families largely bear direct costs.

Carer-focused support is mainly non-financial: advocacy and awareness groups run counselling, identification and small-scale programmes, community palliative initiatives and occasional training for family carers, and charity projects (for example the “1000 Project”) raise funds for specific patients, but these remain urban-centred and small in scale.

There are several organizations supporting older persons and their families in general. The ministry responsible for older persons provides limited support, and assistance is largely practical rather than financial. ACMA seeks to raise awareness among companies about dementia through CSR initiatives and the promotion of brain health programmes.

Policy

Cameroon has no officially enacted national dementia strategy or publicly announced upcoming plans. The policy landscape is restricted by severe legal and cultural barriers. Under the Civil Code, the state enforces a binary approach to mental capacity using archaic, stigmatising terminology that mandates full interdiction. Additionally, the Penal Code criminalises witchcraft. Because dementia symptoms like wandering or confused speech mimic cultural markers of the supernatural, communities often prosecute vulnerable individuals rather than protecting them. Culturally, families frequently attribute cognitive decline to spiritual curses, choosing to consult traditional healers or religious leaders instead of seeking timely medical diagnoses. The criminalization of symptoms attributed to witchcraft has led to tragedies within families. Delayed consultation significantly reduces patients’ quality of life.

National dementia plan

Cameroon does not have an officially enacted national dementia strategy or approved government plan specific to dementia care.

Upcoming plans

There is no publicly announced, formal national Alzheimer’s disease or dementia strategy.

Policy gaps

Legal barriers

Under the Cameroonian Civil Code, specifically Article 489, the law mandates a binary approach to mental capacity. It states that an adult who is in a “habitual state of imbecility, dementia, or fury” must be interdicted, even if they present lucid intervals. The terminology of the statute itself is archaic and deeply stigmatizing. This vulnerability is exacerbated by Article 251 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes the practice of witchcraft. Because symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, such as wandering, aggression, or confused speech, closely mimic local cultural markers of witchcraft, the law effectively provides a mechanism for communities to prosecute the sick rather than protect them.

Cultural barriers

The diagnosis pathway in Cameroon sometimes is delayed by a prolonged “pre-medical” phase where families, influenced by cultural stigmas, frequently interpret symptoms as normal aging or witchcraft, leading them to consult traditional healers or religious leaders rather than medical doctors. Culturally, the primary driver of stigma is the interpretation of dementia symptoms through the lens of the supernatural, specifically witchcraft and spiritual curses. In many communities, particularly in rural areas, behaviors such as sundowning, agitation, or aphasia are not viewed as medical symptoms but as evidence of participation in coven activities.

Research

Dementia research is conducted by key academic institutions, including the Universities of Yaounde I, Buea, Douala, and Bamenda. Cameroon features no local patient registries or public-facing clinical trial networks specifically for Alzheimer’s disease. Instead, local researchers register clinical studies via the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry and collaborate regionally through the African Dementia Consortium to study dementia genetics and prevalence. Notably, researchers at the University of Yaounde employ innovative methods by investigating dementia prevalence and potential links to Onchocerca volvulus infections within the Ntui Health District.

Selected academic institutions

University of Yaoundé University of Buea University of Douala University of Bamenda

Clinical trials and registries

There is currently no single, public-facing Alzheimer’s disease Clinical trials network website specifically for Cameroon. However, the country is a member of the African Dementia Consortium (AfDC), a coalition of researchers across nine African countries working to gather data on the genetics and prevalence of dementia in the region.

Similarly, there is no local, patient-accessible online registry. Cameroonian researchers register their studies on the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR).

Selected innovative methods

Researchers affiliated with The University of Yaoundé have been involved in a study in the Ntui Health District focusing on dementia prevalence and its potential links to Onchocerca volvulus infection.

Support

Organizations are listed for informational purposes based on publicly available sources. Inclusion does not necessarily indicate affiliation with or endorsement by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI).

There are no dedicated Alzheimer’s foundations or specialised media outlets in Cameroon. Public awareness and support are driven entirely by civil society organisations, primarily the Association Comprendre la Maladie d’Alzheimer (A.C.M.A) Cameroon and Association Santo Domingo-SEG Cameroon. A.C.M.A delivers critical, small-scale resources, including caregiver support groups, individual counselling, dementia care training, and educational events. They also host memory cafes to encourage social engagement for individuals experiencing memory loss and manage the unique Super Older Memory competition to test cognitive abilities among citizens.

Selected national associations, patient family associations, NGOs:

Selected initiatives

A.C.M.A Cameroon offers carer support groups and meetings, individual counselling, and dementia care training.8 The organization also provides educational resources, hosts public information events, and operates memory cafés to facilitate social engagement for people living with memory loss. They also organize the Super Older Memory competition, a cognitive test competition for citizens.

Through its participation in ADI events and activities, ACMA Cameroon provides substantial resources to the community and is highly valued for its impact. National and international support would enable it to expand further, especially in the six regions of Cameroon where no ACMA branch currently exists. Dementia is not confined to the country’s major cities.

Dedicated media outlets

There are no dedicated media outlets that specifically focus on Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. During World Alzheimer’s Month, many media outlets provide opportunities for communication and awareness raising. Outside September, communication takes place mainly through our social media channels.

Understanding the terms

This section explains key terms used throughout the text to help readers better understand the exploration concepts.
Open Term Glossary
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Contents

Understanding the Terms

Terms used throughout this website are explained below.
A

Amyloid-Targeting Therapies (ATT): A class of disease-modifying treatments, primarily monoclonal antibodies, designed to identify and remove amyloid-beta plaques from the brain to slow cognitive and functional decline in early-stage Alzheimer’s. Examples include Lecanemab and Donanemab.

Aphasia: A language disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate, often seen early in Frontotemporal Dementia.

APOE ε4 Allele: A genetic variant of the Apolipoprotein E gene that is a major risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease; while not a causative gene, its presence increases the likelihood of developing the condition.

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors: A class of medications, including Donepezil, Rivastigmine, and Galantamine, used to treat cognitive symptoms by increasing levels of chemical messengers in the brain.

Advance Directives (DAT): Legal documents, such as Disposizioni Anticipate di Trattamento in Italy, that allow individuals to specify their future medical treatment and care preferences while they still have the capacity to do so.

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD): The most common cause of dementia, characterized by a progressive neurodegenerative decline caused by the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain.

Amyloid-beta Plaques: Protein fragments that build up in the spaces between nerve cells, disrupting communication and triggering immune responses.

Amyloid PET Scan: A specialized nuclear imaging test that uses radioactive tracers to visualize and measure the density of amyloid-beta plaques in the living brain.

Atrophy: The wasting away or shrinking of brain tissue, often measured via MRI to support a clinical diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s.

B

Biomarkers: Measurable biological indicators, such as proteins found in blood or cerebrospinal fluid, used to identify the underlying pathology of a disease.

Blood Biomarkers: Emerging, less-invasive diagnostic tests that measure specific proteins like p-tau or neurofilament levels in blood plasma to detect Alzheimer’s pathology.

C

CSF Analysis (Cerebrospinal Fluid): A diagnostic procedure involving a lumbar puncture to measure levels of tau and amyloid-beta proteins in the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

CT Scan (Computed Tomography): A diagnostic imaging test using X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the brain; used primarily to rule out other causes of cognitive decline such as tumors or strokes.

Clock Drawing Test (CDT): A brief cognitive screening task where a patient is asked to ask to draw a clock face; it evaluates visuospatial and executive function.

Cognitive Screening: The process of using standardized tests to objectively measure an individual’s mental functions, such as memory, orientation, and attention.

Community-based Care: Healthcare and support services provided within the local community, such as daycare centers, home-based nursing, and local support groups, rather than in institutional settings.

Cube Copying Test: A visuospatial assessment task used during neuropsychological evaluations to test a patient’s ability to replicate geometric shapes.

D

Dementia: An umbrella term for a range of neurological conditions characterized by a decline in memory, language, and thinking skills severe enough to interfere with daily life.

Dementia-friendly Society: A community or national environment where citizens and businesses are trained to understand, respect, and support the needs of people living with dementia.

Disease-modifying Therapies (DMTs): A new class of treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies (e.g., Lecanemab), designed to target the underlying biological causes of Alzheimer’s rather than just managing symptoms.

E

Early-Onset Alzheimer’s: A form of the disease that affects people younger than age 65, often linked to the familial genes.

Executive Function: Higher-level mental skills including planning, focusing, and multitasking; these are often what the Clock Drawing Test evaluates.

F

FDG-PET: A type of PET scan that measures glucose metabolism in the brain to identify patterns characteristic of different dementia subtypes.

Familial Alzheimer’s Disease: A rare, genetic form of the disease linked to mutations in specific genes (APP, PSEN1, PSEN2) that typically presents with early-onset symptoms.

Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD): A type of dementia caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the frontal or temporal lobes, leading to significant changes in behavior, personality, and language.

G

General Practitioner (GP): A primary care physician who acts as the first point of contact and gatekeeper for dementia diagnosis, providing initial assessments and referrals to specialists.

Genotyping: The analysis of an individual’s DNA to identify specific genetic variations associated with dementia risk or causation.

H

Hidden Cost: The indirect economic impacts of dementia, such as the loss of income for family members who must reduce working hours or leave their jobs to provide care.

I

Informal Care / Informal Caregiver: Unpaid care provided by family members, spouses, or friends, which represents the vast majority of long-term support for people living with dementia.

J

Japanese Cognitive Function Test (J-Cog): A specialized cognitive assessment tool used to evaluate mental and functional status in specific research or regional contexts.

L

Lewy Body Dementia (LBD): A type of progressive dementia that leads to a decline in thinking, reasoning, and independent function due to abnormal microscopic deposits that damage brain cells.

Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI): A specialized branch of insurance, found in systems like Germany and Singapore, that provides financial subsidies for daily living assistance and nursing care.

M

Memory Clinic: A specialized, often multidisciplinary center focused on the expert diagnosis, management, and treatment of dementia and cognitive disorders.

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): An intermediate stage between normal aging and dementia where memory or thinking problems are noticeable but don’t yet prevent daily functioning.

Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE): A 30-point standardized questionnaire used to measure cognitive impairment by testing orientation, recall, and attention.

Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA): A cognitive screening tool designed to be more sensitive than the MMSE, particularly for identifying Mild Cognitive Impairment.

MRI Scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): A non-invasive technology using magnetic fields to produce detailed images of brain structure; used to assess brain atrophy and rule out secondary causes.

N

National Dementia Plan: A formal government strategy outlining a coordinated response to manage dementia diagnosis, care, research, and awareness at a national level.

National Health Insurance (NHI): A government-funded or regulated healthcare system providing universal or subsidized medical services to citizens.

Neuroimaging: The use of advanced techniques, such as CT, MRI, and PET, to visualize the structure and function of the brain for diagnostic purposes.

Neuroinflammation: The brain’s immune response to damage or protein buildup; while initially protective, chronic inflammation can accelerate neurodegeneration.

O

Out-of-Pocket Costs: Direct payments made by patients or their families for medical services, tests, or care that are not covered by insurance or public subsidies.

P

Preclinical Alzheimer’s: The stage where brain changes (like amyloid buildup) are present but no outward symptoms are yet visible.

S

Synaptic Loss: The destruction of synapses (the gaps where neurons communicate), which is often the strongest correlate to cognitive decline.

T

Tau Tangles: Twisted fibers of a protein called tau that build up inside nerve cells, destroying the cell’s transport system.

V

Vascular Dementia: The second most common type of dementia, caused by conditions that block or reduce blood flow to the brain, like strokes.