By Wilson Musa
Limbe, Cameroon— A new policy analysis has sounded the alarm on the fragmented state of training for nurses, midwives, and health technicians in Cameroon, warning that overlapping government mandates are creating a crisis of credential congestion that threatens the nation’s healthcare quality.
The research, titled “Harmonizing the Training and Certification of Nurses, Midwives, and Health Technicians in Cameroon: A Policy Analysis,” was published on April 24, 2026, by the U.S.-based Science Publishing Group in the Central African Journal of Public Health (Vol. 12, Iss. 2).
The author, John Nyah Mbout, a U.S.-based Cameroonian Nurse Educator and Researcher affiliated with Shannon Medical Centre, San Angelo, Texas and Ottawa University, Arizona, argues that while Cameroon has attempted various reforms, the lack of a unified regulatory framework has left the professional landscape in disarray.
A Tug-of-War Over Standards
The core of the issue, according to Mbout, is the institutional friction between the Ministry of Higher Education (MINESUP) and the Ministry of Public Health (MINSANTE).
While both ministries oversee different aspects of health education, their mandates often overlap or contradict one another. This duality of governance, the report states, leads to a variety of certifications, ranging from the Higher National Diploma (HND/BTS) to professional certificates that do not always share equivalent standards for clinical competence.
“The central policy problem is not a lack of reform activity, but the absence of integrated governance and enforceable national standards,” Mbout writes.
The 2024 Reform: A Temporary Patch
The study acknowledges recent efforts to bridge this gap, specifically citing the August 16, 2024, Interministerial Press Release between MINESUP and MINSANTE. While this agreement aimed to harmonize the HND and professional pathways, Mbout classifies these as transitional arrangements rather than a permanent solution.
The research highlights that without updating foundational laws such as Law No. 84-009 of 1984, which regulates nurse and midwife practices, the system remains anchored in outdated legal frameworks that fail to account for modern medical technology and specialized care.
Impact on the Health Workforce
The report identifies four critical mechanisms currently hindering the sector:
1. Credential Congestion:
The proliferation of diverse training programs makes it difficult for employers to verify the skill levels of new graduates.
2. Weak Accreditation:
Insufficient oversight allows some private training institutions to operate without meeting rigorous clinical standards.
3. Governance Gaps:
The absence of a single National Health Workforce Council leaves the country without a central authority to manage licensure.
4. Policy Inconsistency:
Shifts in government strategy often lead to unfinished reforms that confuse both students and healthcare providers.
The Path Forward
To align with Cameroon’s Health Sector Strategy 2016–2027, Mbout recommends the establishment of a Unified National Qualification Framework for health professionals.
The study concludes that unless the government moves beyond short-term administrative fixes and toward a comprehensive legislative overhaul, the harmonization of the health workforce will remain an elusive goal, potentially compromising patient safety across the CEMAC region.
About The Author
John Nyah Mbout (MJN) is a highly experienced Registered Nurse with over 13 years of professional nursing experience across Cameroon, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. He holds a State Registered Nurse Diploma from the Training School for State Registered Nurses in Bamenda, under the Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon; a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texila American University in Guyana, South America; and a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Healthcare Management from Ottawa University Arizona, USA.
John is the CEO and Founder of MJN Health Academy & Professional Services Ltd. and CareerPath Africa, a pioneering online college and university platform designed to provide accessible, high-quality, and career-driven education for African students and working professionals. In addition, he serves as a Nurse Educator and Researcher, with a strong focus on supporting governments and institutions in nursing and healthcare policy reform, curriculum development, strategic planning, and professional development.
Footnote:
The article can be used by policymakers, nursing and midwifery schools, healthcare regulators, professional councils, researchers, and training institutions as a guide for developing national standards, improving accreditation systems, strengthening licensure pathways, harmonizing certificates, and supporting reforms that improve workforce quality, mobility, and patient safety in Cameroon.
