11/04/2026
Day 1 highlights
What if the packaged food we bought told us the truth about their content clearly and simply?
This question was at the heart of discussions during the First National Symposium on NCDs and the Roundtable on Action for Chronic NCDs in Cameroon, under the theme Nutrition and NCDs, held under the high patronage of the Prime Minister and Head of Government.
One reality stood out clearly:
Non-communicable diseases now account for over 43% of deaths in Cameroon.
These include cancers, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease conditions that affect not only affect individuals, but also families, communities, and the wider economy.
The opening scientific session was led by Prof. Jean Claude Mbanya, setting the tone for evidence-based reflection on the growing burden of NCDs.
Behind these numbers are everyday risk factors we often overlook:
High sugar intake → obesity, diabetes, dental diseases
Excess salt → hypertension and cardiovascular risk
Ultra-processed foods → high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats
These risks are found in daily diets and in homes across communities.
A key reminder from the discussions:
“The cost of inaction is more costly than that of action.”
The conversations moved beyond awareness into solutions, especially policy action and consumer protection.
Key contributions included:
Mba Camille (MD, Msc, PhD Epidemiology) on advancing consumer protection by leveraging Cameroon’s 2018 food safety law to strengthen front-of-package labeling and nutrition policy reforms
Ms Nicole Ide*(Senior Technical Advisor, Resolve to save lives) on global evidence and lessons from countries implementing front-of-package warning labels
Prof. Francesca* on restricting marketing of unhealthy foods to children, sharing evidence, policy options, and regulatory pathways
Ms. Lisa Antillon Sharing of experiences from Mexico’s implementation process
A broader reflection on Cameroon’s journey toward front-of-package warning labels, highlighting civil society leadership, evidence generation, and policy advocacy by Mr. Ferdinant M. Sonyuy.
A strong message from the roundtable was clear:
Protecting people from NCDs requires both awareness and action at policy level and community level.
It also became clear that when food environments are not transparent, people are left to make decisions without enough information. Health is not only about individual choice it is also shaped by systems, policies, and the environment around us.
For us at PBOHI, this connects strongly to Cancer prevention. Many Modifiable risk factors for NCDs are shared, meaning that improving nutrition and food systems can reduce the burden of multiple diseases, including cancer.
Moving forward, the path is not just discussions it is:
* Evidence-based policy
* Stronger consumer protection
* Active youth and civil society engagement
* Collective responsibility across all sectors and communities
Real change happens when knowledge becomes action
Reconciliation and Development Association -RADA
UICC - Union for International Cancer Control
IARC 60th Anniversary
World Health Organization (WHO)
Ministère de la Santé Publique du Cameroun
Mayabel Movement Int
