Kidney disease patients have staged a protest at the Buea Regional Hospital Thursday 19 March, 2026 against the absence of hemodialysis treatment.
The angry and disillusioned patients blocked the main entrance into the hospital.
The patients, who rely on regular life-saving hemodialysis treatment, gathered at the hospital’s main gate to express concerns relating to their treatment.
Kidney disease patients in Cameroon have often decried poor treatment conditions and the lack of sufficient dialysis machines.
Hemodialysis is a critical medical procedure for individuals suffering from severe kidney disease or kidney failure.
When the kidneys can no longer effectively remove waste, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood, dialysis serves as an artificial replacement—helping to maintain the body’s chemical balance and prevent life-threatening complications, experts say.
They recommend Health insurance schemes and universal health coverage that target patients on hemodialysis.
“Universal health coverage in Cameroon should aim to specifically cover the cost of consultation, laboratory tests, medications, and transportation for dialysis patients in these regions,” Dr Ebong Charles of the Buea Central Hospital in Yaounde says.
For many patients, missing even a single session can lead to serious health risks, including fluid overload, organ damage, or death.
As the protest unfolds in Buea, there are concerns over the potential health consequences for patients whose treatment schedules may be disrupted.
Experts say there is a sharp increase in the incidence and prevalence of patients with kidney failure requiring replacement therapy. This has led to a very high cost, especially in resource-limited settings like Cameroon.