Cameroon's Minister of Public Health, Malachie Manaouda, has ordered the immediate elimination of paid parking at public health facilities nationwide. This decision, formalized through a ministerial circular dated February 19, 2026, aims to improve access to healthcare and create a more humane hospital environment.
Manaouda expressed his disapproval of the "proliferation" of this system, often managed by private individuals, deeming it "out of step" with the fundamental missions of the public hospital service. He emphasized that this practice undermines the "brand image of the public hospital service," stressing the principle of equal access to care for all.
The directive specifically targets general managers of first-category hospitals, directors of central hospitals (2nd and 3rd categories), district hospital directors, heads of sub-divisional medical centers, and managers of integrated health centers. The Minister instructed them to take urgent measures to put an end to this practice, which he describes as "mercantilist" because it is detrimental to patients and their companions.
Beyond the financial aspect, often minimal for each user but burdensome for vulnerable families, Manaouda Malachie seeks to protect the image of the public hospital service. He has mobilized several control bodies, including the Inspector General of Administrative Services, the Director of Health Care Organization and Health Technology, as well as Regional Health Delegates, to ensure the monitoring of this measure nationwide.
This initiative is seen as a strong signal to hospital administrators, reminding them that a public hospital is not a commercial space and that access to care should not be conditional on parking fees. By banning paid parking, Minister Manaouda Malachie is tackling the progressive privatization of public spaces, including in the sensitive health sector.
