The Joint External Evaluation process in Cameroon: Assessing the country’s capacity for health security

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to present the JEE process in Cameroon as well as Cameroon’s capacities to manage public health threats in accordance with the IHR 2005. Cameroon JEE process and data for the 48 indicators within the 19 technical areas was examined.Results Cameroon's overall score was 1.98 ± 0.93 and 48/34 indicators (70.38%) had scores less than 2 on a 1 to 5 scale. In the “Detect” category the average score was 2.7. Technical areas with the lowest average scores were Reporting and National laboratory system. The weakest indicators in the “Prevent” category were antimicrobial resistance, biosafety and biosecurity, and National legislation, policy and financing. Emergency Response Operations, Preparedness, Medical Countermeasures and Personnel Deployment have the lowest scores in the “Respond” category. Chemical Events and Points of Entry have the lowest score in “Other IHR-related hazards and Point of Entry”. Scores attributed during the country self-assessment were 73% similar to those of the JEE process.