The Pasteur Center of Cameroon (CPC) had the pleasure of welcoming the country Coordinator of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), Dr. Camara FODE, as part of his tour to make contact with key players in the fight against poliomyelitis in Cameroon.

“I cannot come to a country without seeing the laboratory.” This strong statement by Dr. Camara FODE, during his discussion with Dr. Mirdad Kazanji, Director General of the CPC, alone illustrates the strategic importance of laboratories in the surveillance and eradication of polio.

Appointed on January 9, 2026, and officially taking office on February 24, Dr. Camara FODE made a visit to the CPC on April 7. An essential stage of his mission, which allowed him to better understand the key role played by the institution in the response against this disease.

The national and inter-country reference laboratory for poliovirus surveillance in Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Sao Tome and Principe, the CPC establishes itself as a true regional sentinel. For the IMEP Coordinator, this strategic position ensures rapid case detection, reliable diagnostic confirmation, and the production of high-quality data, essential for decision-making.

During his visit, Dr. Camara FODE reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening collaboration with the CPC in order to achieve a common goal: the total eradication of poliomyelitis, a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to irreversible paralysis.

This visit continued with a working session with the polio laboratory teams, followed by an immersion within the newly completed laboratory dedicated exclusively to poliomyelitis at the Pasteur Center of Cameroon.