Flag of the Republic of Cameroon
By Jean Jacques Dissoke
The capital of Cameroon has gained a new health and human-rights center serving LGBTQ people and others most at-risk of contracting AIDS.
The non-profit association SOS Solidarity Rights and Health has grown since 2016, when it was founded by a group of social activists. It now has operations in Bertoua, Bafoussam and Mfou, plus the Yaoundé office that it has just opened in the Odza district.
SOS Solidarity fights against HIV/AIDS and defends the rights of key populations (those most at-risk of AIDS) and other vulnerable people. It worked with this website’s Project Not Alone last year on the task of freeing 10 innocent victims of Cameroonian homophobia from Bafoussam Prison.
The key populations whom SOS Solidarity serves include men who have sex with men (MSM), sex workers, drug users and transgender people.
As a health agency, it takes a multi-pronged approach to patients, including prevention, treatment and monitoring.
In addition to HIV/AIDS, it helps with proctological disorders and sexually transmitted infections. To support patients, it has a small laboratory and a paramedical service.
SOS Solidarity office in Cameroon. (Photo by Jean Jacques Dissoke)
As part of SOS Solidarity’s human rights work, it offers an “Allo Clinique” program that supports survivors of violence aimed at vulnerable people (young girls, teenagers and women) and key populations, including MSM, trans people and drug users.
The Yaoundé center will serve the Efoulan, Odza and Nsimalen areas.
Jean Jacques Dissoke, the author of this article, is a Cameroonian activist. Contact him at [email protected].
Source: African Human Rights Media Network member Erasing 76 Crimes
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