The Hygiene and Sanitation Unit is a critical part of the municipal administration in Cameroon, responsible for safeguarding public health and ensuring a clean environment.
This unit typically falls under the Department of Urban Planning, Technical Services, and Environment (or a dedicated Department of Hygiene and Sanitation) which handles local development and infrastructure mandates transferred from the State to the Decentralized Territorial Communities (CTDs).
🧼 Role and Missions of the Hygiene and Sanitation Unit
The unit’s work is directly tied to the fundamental competence of the Council in managing public hygiene, health, and nuisance control.
1. Waste Management and Public Cleanliness
- Collection and Disposal: Organizes, supervises, and monitors the regular collection, transport, and final treatment/disposal of household and commercial waste (solid waste management).
- Street Cleaning: Ensures the sweeping and cleansing of communal roads, streets, public spaces, markets, and other communal areas.
- Nuisance Control: Leads the fight against insalubrity, pollution, and nuisances that threaten public health.
2. Sanitation Infrastructure and Health Promotion
- Drainage: Oversees the maintenance and cleaning of drainage systems, sewers, and storm water evacuation channels.
- Sanitary Facilities: Manages the creation, maintenance, and cleaning of public toilets and other communal sanitary structures.
- Health Education: Implements hygiene promotion campaigns and public awareness initiatives to educate residents on best practices for personal and environmental cleanliness and disease prevention.
3. Regulation and Enforcement
- Health Controls: Carries out sanitary inspections and controls in public places, markets, slaughterhouses, restaurants, and other establishments.
- Regulation Enforcement: Enforces municipal bylaws and national legislation related to hygiene and sanitation, including issuing warnings or proposing sanctions against defaulters (e.g., illegal dumping).
- Cemetery Management: Often manages the creation, maintenance, and upkeep of public cemeteries.
| Position/Unit | Department | Name of Official | Office | Primary Email |
| Head of Unit | Hygiene and Sanitation | Mr. Head of Unit | Room. 205 | hygeine@ |
| Supervising Department | Dept. of Tech. Services & Environment Head | Ms. | Room. 200 | techservices@council.cm |
| Waste Management Section | Hygiene and Sanitation | Mr. | Room. 206 | |
| Public Health Inspector | Hygiene and Sanitation | Mrs. | Room. 207 |