Given the high prevalence of lower limb lymphoedema in Cameroon and particularly in the North West Region, of which podoconiosis accounts for the highest proportion, there was a need for a specialized centre to care for these patients as there is currently no national morbidity management and disability prevention (MMDP) program available to the best of our knowledge. In addition, because morbidity management of lymphoedema is the most reliable and effective standard of care recommended as treatment for these patients, one of the main goals of the TAKeOFF consortium in Cameroon was therefore to develop and run a podoconiosis lymphoedema morbidity management centre.
This centre has as its main goal to carry out podoconiosis lymphoedema morbidity surveillance in the region and country at large in collaboration with the health system, offer morbidity management services to identified patients, train the patients and health personnel on the practice and provide morbidity management materials to the patients towards assuring sustainability of the activity.
The lymphoedema management centre is situated at the Bafut District Hospital, North West Region of Cameroon
Our Services
- Consultations, clinical & Hygiene assessment
- Lymphoedema management & training with practical sessions demonstrating the process
- Management of Lymphoedema pain attacks
- Lymphoedema wound dressing
- Laboratory testing
- Patient counselling and psychological support
- Patient education: Emphasis is laid on the details of the practices and the reason why there is a need for these practices
- Provision of Management Kits: Bowl, soap, brush, towel, antiseptics (e.g., Dermobacter, hydrogen permanganate depending on gravity of the lymphoedema), Vaseline etc
Infrastructure
- Reception: for receiving and registration of participants, for general education on podoconiosis and other forms of lymphoedema and management training
- Secretariat: for documentation and record-keeping
- Administrative office: in charge of coordinating field and morbidity management centre activities
- Medical unit: for diagnosis of lower limb lymphoedema, management of wound/acute attacks, assessment of vital signs, psychosocial counselling, lymphoedema and hygiene management process.
- Laboratory unit: for sample collection and analysis.
The Centre was fully established in 2018 and 15 staff members were recruited to run the activities of the Centre aided by 144 CHW. Over 1,200 people visited the Centre between 2019–2024 of which about 600 were confirmed podoconiosis cases. In addition, the centre has served as a research hub enabling the performance of a clinical trial, including the distribution of material for hygiene measures, monthly follow ups and management of wounds and acute dematolymphangioadenitis attacks.
Our objective is to raise awareness, provide support, and improve the quality of life for individuals affected by this “very” Neglected Tropical Disease. Thus, the lymphoedema management centre is dedicated to providing comprehensive care, education, and support for individuals suffering from podoconiosis, a non-communicable condition causing lower-limb lymphoedema.
Our Partners
Research and Publications
1. The design and development of a multicentric protocol to investigate the impact of adjunctive doxycycline on the management of peripheral lymphoedema caused by lymphatic filariasis and podoconiosis (2020) Horton J, Klarmann-Schulz U, Stephens M, Budge PJ, Coulibaly Y, Debrah A, Debrah LB, Krishnasastry S, Mwingira U, Ngenya A, Wanji S, Weerasooriya M, Yahathugoda C, Kroidl I, Deathe D, Majewski A, Sullivan S, Mackenzie C, Nutman TB, Shott JP, Weil G, Ottesen E, Hoerauf A. Parasit Vector 13:1, 10.1186/s13071-020-04024-2
2. Clinical, haematological and biochemical profiling of podoconiosis lymphoedema patients prior to their involvement in a clinical trial in the Northwest Region of Cameroon (2020) Lontum Bertrand Ndzeshang, Randy Tchachoua Mbiakopa, Gordon Takop Nchanjia, Chi Anizette Kiena, Glory Ngongeh Amamboa, Raphael Awah Abonga, Timothy Yuyunc, Amuam Andrew Benga, John Bonekeh, Manuel Ritterd, Mathias Eyong Esum, Jerome Fru Cho, Abdel Jelil Njouendou, Ignatius Nde Ndifor, Kebede Deribe, Fanny Fri. Fombad, Peter Enyong, Ute Klarmann-Schulz, Achim Hoerauf, and Samuel Wanji. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2020; 0: 1–8. doi:10.1093/trstmh/traa146 Advance Access publication 0 2020
3. Podoconiosis – From known to unknown: Obstacles to tackle (2021) Samuel Wanji, Kebede Deribe, Jessica Minich, Alexander Y. Debrah, Akili Kalinga, Inge Kroidl, Ambre Luguet, Achim Hoerauf, Manuel Ritter. Acta Tropica 219:105918
4. Phenotypical characterization, and antibiotics susceptibility patterns of skin bacteria found in podoconiosis patients in the North West Region of Cameroon (2023). Derick Lekealem Nkwetta, Bangsi Rose Fuen, Njodzeka Flora Yenban, Nancielle Mbiatong, Gordon Takop Nchanji, John Bonekeh, Bertrand Lontum Ndzeshang, Narcisse Victor Tchamatchoua Gandjui, Fanny Fri. Fombad, Ute Klarmann-Schulz, Mathias Eyong Esum, Abdel Jelil Njouendou, Jerome Fru Cho, Achim Hoerauf, Manuel Ritter & Samuel Wanji. BMC Microbiology volume 23, Article number: 189
5. Tropical leg lymphedema caused by podoconiosis is associated with increased colonization by anaerobic bacteria (2023) Claudio Neidhöfer1, Derick Lekealem Nkwetta, Bangsi Rose Fuen, Njodzeka FloraYenban, Nancielle Mbiatong, Gordon Takop Nchanji, Patricia Korir1, Nina Wetzig, Martin Sieber, Ralf Thiele4, Marijo Parcina1, Ute Klarmann‑Schulz1,5, Achim Hoerauf1, Samuel Wanji & Manuel Ritter. Nature Portfolio 13:13785