Gov’t publicising defective hotline for bird flu emergencies

A hotline, 1520, which authorities in Cameroon opened following the outbreak of bird flu in Yaounde has so far been technically defective, The Cameroon Journal observed.

The SOS line, which officials of the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries said could be accessed to report suspicious bird flu symptoms on fowls and humans, has been largely unreachable, though it is constantly being publicized on the state broadcaster, CRTV.

The Cameroon Journal first tried the line last Thursday, using the MTN network service, but it would not go through. “Sorry, this number is currently barred from receiving calls,” a voice prompter responded at the other end. We tried again using the Orange network service but the call would last barely three seconds and then indicate “Call Ended.”

When we repeatedly used a Camtel CT phone to access the SOS number, the line will continuously ring but no one picks up.

At press time, all attempts using the four mobile network service providers in Cameroon to reach the hotline were futile.

A telecommunications engineer we accosted said on anonymity that SOS lines do not require service providers to be accessed. “If the number is not available, then it implies the government isn’t serious about it at all. It is not strange,” the consultant posited. He noted that such emergency numbers are supposed to be toll free.

Atangana Jean, a poultry farmer in Etoug Ebe – Yaounde, affirmed that the bird flu emergency response number has not been available. “I have tried many times to get tips through this number to no avail,” the seemingly dejected farmer said while holding a frail looking chicken.

For his part, Thomas Mbang, a resident in the Tam Tam Weekend neighborhood said he was not aware any such number exists in the first place. “Even if the number really exists and you call them (referring to the authorities), they won’t come.”

Authorities charged with the management of the bird flu hotline were not immediately available to comment on the unavailability of the line.

In Cameroon, people have a lot of misgiving for emergency numbers. Emergency numbers like that of the rapid intervention unit of the police, ambulance service and fire fighters brigade hardly go through. At times when they go through, respondents usually ask for a kickback – “money for fuel,” before they will show up.