Cameroon Launches « Moxidectin » to Fight River Blindness

The Higher Institute for Scientific and Medical Research (ISM) launched the EMINENCE Project, a European Union-funded initiative aimed at eliminating the disease through the deployment of Moxidectin in persistent hotspots across the country.

The project was officially launched on June 9, 2026, in Yaoundé and will deploy Moxidectin in the Centre Region, particularly in the Bafia and Ntui health districts where onchocerciasis remains a public health concern.

Beyond treatment, the initiative seeks to encourage communities in affected areas to actively participate in mass drug administration campaigns and consistently take medication to help interrupt disease transmission.

Speaking during the launch ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of ISM, Professor Joseph Kamgno, described Moxidectin as a more effective and longer-acting treatment than Ivermectin, the drug currently used in onchocerciasis control programmes.

According to him, Moxidectin significantly reduces the parasites responsible for the disease and has the potential to accelerate elimination efforts.

He, however, stressed the importance of continuing the use of Ivermectin as access to the new treatment gradually expands.

Representing the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Théophile Mpaba Minkai said the introduction of Moxidectin marks a major step forward in the country’s efforts to eliminate river blindness.

He revealed that nearly 39,000 community distributors are currently involved in the nationwide distribution of treatment, helping to ensure that affected populations have access to life-saving medication.

Egoh Yvonne (Intern)