Human Rights and Public Health: PULSEAIDS strengthens the capacities of key actors in Yaoundé
Under the financial sponsorship of All Out, the "PERSUASION" project carried out by PULSEAIDS brought together, on January 6, 2026 at the Hotel Felydac in Yaoundé, 25 major players from the security forces, justice, administration and the media. The goal: to break down barriers to access to health services for key populations and fight against violence, including digital violence.
SANTE ET DROITS HUMAINS
pulseaids
1/9/20262 min read
An inclusive approach to effective public health
Fair access to health care, particularly in the fight against HIV/AIDS, cannot be done without an environment that respects human rights. This is the strong message carried by Mr. Franck, Chairman of the Board of Directors of PULSEAIDS, during the opening of the workshop.
He recalled that the organization acts as a partner of the State to support public health policies, insisting on a fundamental truth: "The protection of human rights is not an ideology, but an essential condition for the effectiveness of public policies."
Deciphering concepts to better protect
The workshop, led by experts including a Police Commissioner, made it possible to deconstruct prejudices and deepen four essential modules:
The Fundamentals of Human Rights: Reminder of the principles of universality and integrity, emphasizing that a person's social status or acts do not deprive him of his humanity.
Key and Vulnerable Populations (SOGIESC): Participants explored how stigma acts as an invisible but powerful barrier. Particular emphasis was placed on the unknown vulnerability of men in uniform, often exposed to HIV due to their mobility and professional stress.
Normative Frameworks: An analysis of the State's obligations (Respect, Protect, Promote) and the appeal mechanisms available in Cameroon.
Ethics and Digital Violence: Faced with the rise of cyber violence, actors have been trained on the importance of professional ethics and ways to protect citizens in the digital space.
Towards a renewed professional ethic
The frank and constructive exchanges have highlighted the sometimes tenuous border between personal convictions and professional obligations. The consensus is clear: neutrality and respect for human dignity must prevail in the exercise of public functions.
As one of the facilitators pointed out, "Ethics is not a constraint, but a regulatory tool that protects both the beneficiaries and the professionals themselves."
Recommendations and Perspectives
At the end of this workshop, several recommendations were made to perpetuate these achievements:
Strengthen continuing education on human rights and ethics.
Systematically integrate the fight against digital violence into professional practices.
Improve collaboration between public institutions and civil society organizations such as PULSE AIDS.
This workshop marks a decisive step in creating an environment where privacy and legal security allow everyone, without discrimination, access to essential health services.
