The Cameroon Baptist Convention Private Training School for Health Personnel (PTSHP) based in Banso now exhibits every characteristic of a purely Anglo-Saxon institution in the world following its administration’s decision to begin matriculating its students. The first of such ceremonies took place in the Banso Baptist Hospital Chapel on Saturday, October 29, 2011 in the presence of the Bui administration, CBC authorities and Health Department staff among others.

Explaining the purpose of a matriculation ceremony in an institution like the PTSHP, the new Principal, Mr. Nkwan Jacob pointed out that it is intended to present the school’s programme to the public and also dedicate the students and the school’s activities to God. He read out the matriculation policy of the institution, which outlined the operational principles and admission procedures of the school. Mr. Nkwan noted that the present matriculation ceremony was being organised for 155 students who enrolled into the school in the last intake in programmes that last at least 12 months. He disclosed that the school is poised to graduate at least 200 students by the end of the 2011-2012 academic year.

According to the Principal, the PTSHP provides at least 60% of the staff needs of the CBC Health Services. In all, he added, the school runs 17 programmes with 3 others due to begin soon. In staffing, Mr. Nkwan revealed that the PTSHP has 11 teaching staff, 3 support staff and a host of part-timers who come from within and out of the CBC Health Services to offer classes to the trainees.

On the prospects of the school, the Principal announced that the PTSHP is ready to host a faculty of health sciences. He challenged the CBCHB to create a university by 2021 so that the PTSHP will be a faculty of health sciences in that institution. Mr. Nkwan called on the CBC Director of Health Services to follow up and ensure that the people’s wish comes to fruition for the benefit of Cameroonians.

Earlier on in an exhortation drawn from 2 Timothy 2: 14, 18 on the topic “A workman pleasing to God,” BBH Head Chaplain, Pastor Shey Felix said there are workers who are pleasing to God while others are not because of the egoistic reasons for which they work and their poor work attitude. Pastor Shey remarked that it is more important for one to do what they know rather than spending time talking about it. He challenged the new health personnel and those already working to adhere to the CBCHB foundational beliefs, especially in being accountable and responsible to both God and man for their deeds and in their work so that they can be pleasing to God.

In an academic discourse presented by Dr. Nana Christopher, General Supervisor of the CBCHD Orthopaedic Services and Mbingo Baptist Hospital Chief Medical Officer on “Integrity”, it emerged that no one’s work can be pleasing to God if the individual lacks integrity. According to him, besides studies in class, integrity is one of the main values that must be incarnated in any individual if people must live in a better society. Dr. Nana defined integrity as soundness of moral character or adherence to sound moral principles. He pointed out that integrity is a set of core values comprised of responsibility, accountability, initiative, honesty, courage, justice, self-respect and humility, and generosity and service. The Orthopaedist challenged all present to re-examine their professional and personal integrity and know if they are on the right track or derailing.

For his part, the CBC Director of Health Services (DHS), Prof. Tih Pius Muffih lauded the devotedness of the staff of the PTSHP. He said they have been able to produce immeasurable results when compared with other institutions operating in the same domain in Cameroon. He pointed out that all of this is thanks to the team spirit reigning in the school. Addressing the faculty members, Prof. Tih urged them to be current by reading and researching contemporary publications to help them be up to date with evolutions and developments in the field of health, otherwise, they will be feeding their students with outdated materials. The Director called for more collaboration between the staff and the Principal so that they can teach the students to serve and not fight each other or their superiors.

To the students, the DHS recommended hard work so that they can be able to challenge their teachers with good scientific knowledge if the teachers are not current. He urged them to continue to be as neat as they were in the ceremony even when they get into the field.

Prof. Tih also praised the BBH Administration, civil and administrative authorities and local government officials in the area as well as all stakeholders for contributing in various ways in creating an enabling environment for the PTSHP Banso to produce the admirable results recorded over the years.

At the end of the ceremony, the BBH Head Chaplain prayed and dedicated the staff, students, the school and all CBCHD to God.

It is worth noting that Mr. Nkwan Jacob was recently appointed Principal of the PTSHP in Banso to replace Mrs. Ngwayu Margaret who becomes the Associate Principal of the same institution.

(Fombe Justin, MCH Coordinator)
Staff of Banso Baptist Hospital (BBH) maternity were dumbfounded on Sunday, August 21, 2011 at the story of a 29 year old woman from Mbande Village in Ako Subdivision, Donga-Mantung Division of the Northwest Region. The lady (names withheld) was brought to BBH with a set of quadruplets (4 children delivered from one pregnancy), which she said were delivered on August 18, 2011 between the hours of 8:00pm and 9:00pm.

According to her story, the mother of the quadruplets is a third wife to her husband. She told Mr. Fombe Justin, CBCHD MCH Coordinator that the four babies were her sixth pregnancy with the five previous pregnancies having resulted in single births of three boys and two girls. The last delivery (the quadruplets) added her two boys and two girls, thus bringing up her total number of children to 9 (five boys and four girls).

Recounting the circumstances of her delivery, she told Mr. Fombe that on the evening of August 18, she felt that labour had started given that she knew that she was expecting to deliver by August 2011. She left her house in Mbande village for the nearest health centre situated in a neighbouring village called Kuta. After covering a short distance, she began finding it very difficult to continue. She had to return home and send for the local village midwife (Traditional Birth Attendant).

According to the mother of the quadruplets, in her mind, it was a pregnancy like the previous five she had carried before – just a single baby. But to her greatest shock, four babies in just one pregnancy were unthinkable! She had never known anyone who delivered four babies from one pregnancy. She added that her mother, who was herself a twin, gave birth to twins once; her sister who lives in Bamenda has delivered twins twice, and so she knew that somehow, she could deliver twins but not quadruplets.

The mother of the quadruplets informed the BBH maternity staff that the babies had been registered at the Nkambe Civil Status Centre having had the following weights at delivery: Godwin (1.71kg), Godlove (1.56kg), Goodness (1.386kg) and Gratitude (1,26kg).

She told the maternity staff that during the pregnancy that resulted in the triplets, she and her husband could not afford the cost of registering for Antenatal care at the Kuta Health Centre, reason why she had to deliver without a single visit to the health centre. Talking of her other children, the mother of nine noted that her first child is 18 years old and is in Form Two in Government Technical High School Nkambe; the second one lives with her sister in Bamenda; the third one (a boy) lives with the family and is in Form Two in Government Secondary School Mbande, while the fourth (a girl) is in Class Three in Government Primary School Mbande and the fifth (a 4 year old boy) should be enrolled in school soon.

According to her husband and her, this blessing is too much for them and it has come at very difficult time. As if the quadruplets were not enough responsibility for the family at this time, their third child fell ill and was hospitalised in the District Hospital Nkambe. She told the BBH staff that they were depending on the benevolence of people of goodwill for the sick child’s treatment, her own feeding and that of the quadruplets, and the payment of their hospital fees. Upon arrival in BBH, the maternity staff discovered that the babies had jaundice and were immediately put on phototherapy before they began regaining weight.

The family calls on Cameroonians to join them in giving thanks to God for this wonderful gift to the nation through his family. He further appeals that they need support to enable them raise these children (not just the quadruplets). He adds that the arduous task of raising nine children four of whom have come in a single delivery cannot be left to his family alone. Anyone interested in assisting them can channel whatever support to Banso Baptist Hospital (Te: 77 76 47 81, Email: bbh.adm1949@gmail.com). Be sure that whatever you offer will reach the family and God will bless you mightily.

The Divisional Delegates of Social Welfare for Dunga Mantung and Bui Divisions have since visited the hospital maternity to see for themselves the situation of mother and babies.

The new team of leaders to run Banso Baptist Hospital has been told that “In particular, you have the single mission to reverse the deficit position of the hospital within the shortest time possible.” The CBC Director of Health Services (DHS) gave this instruction on September 09, 2011 during the installation of the new leadership of the hospital.

After reading their work profiles and job descriptions, Prof. Tih Pius Muffih told the new appointees that the future and sustainability of the hospital is in their hands. He said posterity will judge based on what they will do in the new position of responsibility. The DHS also instructed them in their job descriptions to do everything within their powers to ensure job satisfaction and high motivation of all the personnel in the hospital and provide high quality care to clients to ensure patient satisfaction. The Director equally told them to maintain a good public image for the hospital both within and out of the hospital.

Prof. Tih described the outgoing Senior Administrator as firm but gentle, hardworking, reliable and trustworthy. He commended her for the great job she has done in eleven years in bringing up the hospital to where it is today.

The new leaders include Dr. Beri Dimla Ngong and Dr. Julie Stone who were maintained as Chief Medical Officer and Associate Chief Medical Officer respectively, Mr. Ngam Joseph Ful who replaces Mrs. Ndzenyuiy Rose as Senior Administrator, Pastor Bambo Denis Ndzibidtu as Assistant Administrator in charge of Personnel, Mr. Aseh Promise Munteh who remains as Assistant Administrator in charge of Finance and Mr. Nkwan Jacob Gobte who comes in as the new Principal for the Private Training School for Health Personnel (PTSHP) Banso.

In his policy speech on behalf of the new leaders, the incoming Senior Administrator, Mr. Ngam Joseph noted that their coming into office at this time is to complement the CBC Health Department’s continuity effort rather than for a competitive change. He appealed to the staff of the hospital, the Bui Administration and the general public to give his team the same or even greater collaboration than they gave the old team. The Senior Administrator promised that his team will depend on God in all they do.

Speaking on behalf of the CBC Health Board, the Chairman, Dr. Jonah Wefuan remarked that the Board heartily appreciates the work of the CBC Health Services staff. He added that the installation is a mark of growth because leaders were being redeployed in the system to enhance quality care to patients where need be.

Other speakers like the Divisional Officer for Kumbo Central, Etoe Mbongo Peter representing the Senior Divisional Officer for Bui, the First Deputy Mayor for Kumbo Council, the Bui Divisional Delegate of Labour and Social Security and the representative of the Paramount Fon of Nso all lauded the efforts of BBH in providing medical and spiritual care to the local population and beyond and employment to a good number of Cameroonians. They all called on the new leaders to be open and collaborative with the staff, clients and the general public so that the hospital should maintain the reputation it has built for itself over the years as a role model in health care provision in Cameroon. They also called on the new team to avoid discrimination, favouritism, tribalism and other attitudes that can jeopardise the Christian values of the CBCHD and be role models to their subordinates. They equally pledged their unalloyed support to the new leaders as they had done with the old team.

In a devotion on the topic “When God is Leading a Leader” drawn from Joshua 1, Pastor Shey Samuel of Bamkikai pointed out that “Nothing scares a leader more than the anticipation of failure.” He compared the challenges faced by leadership in the CBCHD to that faced by Joshua in leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. He challenged the leaders to look beyond the challenges and the responsibilities ahead of them and see the cross. According to Pastor Shey, one can only lead people to the degree that one is willing to serve. He added that in everything, godly principles remain and lead us while personality goes away.

After the official installation, the two Senior Administrators moved to the office of the administrator for an official handing over, which took place under the auspices of the CBCHD Chief of Administration and Finance, Mr. Warri Denis. Mrs. Ndzenyuiy handed over to Mr. Ngam a document containing lists of all the staff, infrastructure, committees, projects, programmes, departments, cars, etc. According to Mr. Warri, the handing over is a history making event because no official installation and has taken place in the system before, except the one in Mbingo Baptist Hospital on August 26, 2011.

Present at the ceremony were the local administrative authorities of Bui including the Judiciary, local government officials, traditional leaders, CBC leaders, top officials of the CBCHD from various institutions, friends, family, patients and members of the general public.

The CBC Private Training School (PTSHP) for Health Personnel in Banso has added fresh blood into the CBC Health Services. The PTSHP, which trains nurses and other clinical personnel for the CBCHD now for over 40 years, graduated 68 trainees on August 27, 2011. The ceremony, which took place at the Banso Baptist Hospital (BBH) Chapel, brought together government and municipal authorities, CBC officials, friends, families and well-wishers.

Presenting the candidates, the PTSHP Principal, Mrs. Ngwayu Margaret noted that the 68 students were spread across various specialties like the Advanced Practice Nursing Assistants, Laboratory Assistants, Physiotherapy Assistants and Nursing Assistants. She described the graduating trainees and their instructors as hardworking and devoted. The Principal called on the students to be humble and willing to learn from the experience of the colleagues they will meet in the field. She advised them not to insult their teachers and the institution with bad behaviour and unethical practices in the field.

On the school’s activities, Mrs. Ngwayu regretted that some courses are run out of campus due to lack of space. She pleaded with the CBCHD Administration to hasten up with the construction work on the school’s permanent structure so as to solve some of the space problems haunting the school. She however, appreciated the administration for the support the school enjoys in terms of personnel and equipment and equally lauded BBH for the fruitful collaboration over the years.

Addressing the teachers and students of the school as well as the other staff of the CBCHD present at the ceremony, the CBC Director of Health Services (DHS), Prof. Tih Pius Muffih pointed out that CBCHD workers at all levels need to be committed because “our services have a future”, adding that “adventurers are not welcome in the CBCHD because anyone who comes in needs to go the whole length required to serve humanity.” The DHS noted that no hard work goes unnoticed so he will reward anyone who works hard. He also thanked both civil and traditional authorities and the public for upholding the school in one way or the other and pleaded for more collaboration.

Various speakers challenged the students to put into practice what they had learnt in school and shun the vice which today eats up workers of all sectors – corruption. They were urged to follow the CBCHD Mission Statement and walk in the footsteps of Christ so that their work will be joy and not labour. Other speakers told the students to be faithful and diligent and maintain professional secrets given that theirs is a noble profession which deals with human life.

In response, the students lauded their teachers for refining them and making them fit to be called what they are now and to practise what they have learnt. Speaking on behalf of the students, Mrs. Loh Isaac regretted that in the course of their training, they lost three colleagues: two dismissed for gross misconduct and one by death. He also added the voice of the students to that of their principal to call for infrastructural development to enhance learning in the school.

The students received end-of-course certificates and made the Nightingale pledge of commitment to serve professionally and ethically in the fear of God and man.

Staff, patients and other stakeholders of Mbingo Baptist Hospital (MBH) will begin adapting to the new ways of another leadership at the helm of the hospital following the installation of a new team on Saturday, August 26, 2011. The new team was appointed in July 2011 to inject new blood into the hospital.

They include Mr. Nji Richard Nkeh who replaces Mr. Ngam Joseph Ful as MBH Senior Administrator (Mr. Ngam moves to Banso Baptist Hospital in the same capacity after being Administrator in MBH for 13 years), Dr. Nana Christopher who replaces Dr. Tambe as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Supervisor of Orthopaedic Services and Mrs. Gabe Victorine who comes in as Assistant Administrator in charge of Personnel to replace Mr. Nji Richard. Others include Dr. Denis Palmer as Clinical Supervisor and Director of the Christian Internal Medicine Specialisation programme and Dr. Acha Evaristus as Associate CMO, Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Supervisor and Clinical Supervisor.

From their profiles, the new team can be portrayed as square pegs in square holes as they all have adequate trainings and experiences in their various domains. Dr. Nana Christopher has been CMO, Assistant and Interim CMO for long in MBH; Mr. Nji Richard was MBH Associate Senior Administrator for slightly over 3 years, while Mrs. Gabe has been Assistant Administrator in Baptist Hospital Mutengene. The rest are also specialists in their fields.

Presenting the new leaders to the public, the CBC Director of Health Services (DHS), Prof. Tih Pius Muffih called on them to be of good courage because the continuous existence of the hospital depends on them. He challenged them to uphold the standards of the hospital and build a better image for it given that MBH is a household and reference name in the health care sector in Cameroon. Prof. Tih added that if the leaders work as a team, they will surely succeed. He then called on the staff and authorities of Belo Subdivision, Boyo Division and the Northwest Region to give the new team the same and even better cooperation and collaboration than they had all along been giving the outgoing leaders to make them successful.

Talking about the outgoing Administrator, Mr. Ngam, the DHS described him as a man of marvellous results and thanked him on behalf of the CBC Health Board members for having invested his time and life to ensure stability and growth of the hospital. He noted that under Mr. Ngam’s hands, the hospital has noticed remarkable growth in 13 years.

In a policy speech presented by the new Administrator, Mr. Nji Richard on behalf of the new leaders in MBH, admitted that they are into a very challenging task but added that with God leading the way, they are sure to be up to the task. He promised to keep the hospital on good course and move it up from its present 270 bed capacity to over 400 in five years. Mr. Nji told staff and the general public to expect a metamorphosis, which will certainly not come without major changes or inconveniences, but pleaded for collaboration and understanding to ensure a qualitative leap forward. He described his predecessor, Mr. Ngam Joseph as a firm but fair role model, who spared no effort in grooming him for the past three years to enable him stand the challenges surrounding the hospital.

Earlier on in a meditation, Rev. Jeremiah Ndichafah, drawing from Matthew 20: 20-28 on the topic “Is office equal to greatness?” noted that any true service must have Jesus as role model. He explained that a wrong understanding of any concept breeds a wrong motive, which leads to wrong action thus yielding wrong results. The Reverend man added that many people mistake their offices or positions in society for a place to exercise wicked authority and practice all forms of vices against other human beings. He challenged the new leaders and all present to desist from such practices and see their offices as places to serve God through serving others, otherwise, God will hold them accountable.

Other speakers present challenged the incoming leaders to follow the right things their predecessors did and improve upon them as well as introduce positive changes. They equally promised the new leaders their unflinching support and called on them to depend on God for guidance and wisdom. The Mayor of Belo Council, Mr. Tosam Nenghabi Bernard openly regretted the past squabbles between his municipality and MBH spearheaded by himself the Mayor. He thanked the CBC for its spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation and promised introducing a religious perspective in his administration.

Present at the ceremony were traditional authorities, the civil administration of Belo headed by the Divisional Officer, leaders from other CBCHD institutions, friends and family members of the new and outgoing leaders. The MBH Choir graced the ceremony with soul searching gospel choral music.

Meantime, the installation was preceded by a closed door handing over session between the outgoing and incoming administrators. In a chat with the CBCHD Press Division, Mr. Ngam Joseph, the outgoing MBH Administrator remarked that he was confident of Mr. Nji’s capabilities in handling the hospital. He noted that change is constant so that growth can be enabled and sustainability ensured. He described Mr. Nji as confident, courageous and focused. For his part, the new Administrator pointed out that Mr. Ngam has done a lot for MBH and promised to always consult him in case of any major difficulties.

The population of Eyumojock Subdivision in Manyu Division of the Southwest Region have expressed joy that they will soon begin enjoying real medical attention from the CBCHD. Some 14 chiefs out of the 56 villages that make up the subdivision with a population of well over 10,000 people expressed their frustration at the total neglect of their people in terms of health care by the government. They made their feelings known on August 13, 2011 during the handing over ceremony of a structure constructed by a son of Ndebaya to the CBCHD for a health centre for the local population.

The health centre that will soon go operational following the posting of a Chief of Centre there during last June’s posting and transfers has been named “Bigo Ndum Baptist Health Centre Ndebaya.” The facility is poised to kick off with both outpatient and inpatient services. The structure that cost over 35 million FCFA was funded by Dr. Philip Ndum, Medical Oncologist and Haematologist at the Florida Hospitals in the USA. He said he chose to dedicate the health centre to his late father, Pa Bigo, who also died after a mediocre medical attention. According to Dr. Ndum, he took the decision because he was tired of watching his people die due to lack of basic health care facilities in Eyumojock Subdivision. To him, the local population has lost confidence in the only medical facility in the area because of unprofessional practices recurrently observed in the place, which have taken the lives of their loved ones. Dr. Ndum noted that he chose to partner with the CBCHD because he personally tasted the quality of services provided in the CBCHD in Banso Baptist Hospital (BBH) when he was on internship at the Shisong Catholic Hospital. He said he could have as well chosen to donate it to the community but he chose to partner with an existing system whose quest for quality is insatiable, especially given that the local community may not be able to manage it.

The village head of Ndebaya, after thanking Dr. Ndum for being their saviour and the CBCHD for accepting to take the challenge, called on other village heads to mobilise their people to patronise the new health centre. Meanwhile, the Youth President of Mbenyan Village (a neighbouring village to Ndebaya), Mbi Edwin Ndum, in a chat with HB Press, recounted his personal experiences in transporting people in critical health conditions on a bike or locally made stretcher by head to Ikom in Nigeria through dangerous roads or foot paths.

For his part, the Divisional Officer (DO) of Eyumojock Subdivision recommended the CBCHD to get an authorisation for the health centre as soon as possible to avoid it functioning in an illegal status. He heartily appreciated Dr. Ndum for thinking about the health needs of his people back home even though living in all comfort abroad. The DO described the gesture as a mark of true patriotism.

Speaking on behalf of the CBC Director of Health Services, the new Senior Administrator of BBH, Mr. Ngam Joseph Ful thanked God for using Dr. Ndum as a channel to bring wholistic healthcare to the people of Eyumojock Subdivision. He reminded the people that the health centre is their property and its survival will depend on their utilisation of the services that will be available. Mr. Ngam told the population to stop gambling with their health and use the health centre to the fullest. He also noted that a real functional health institution is not the building but the personnel, equipment and necessities. In this wise, he called on the people to be patient and give the CBCHD some time to make adequate preparations for the take off of the health centre so that it will not flounder along the way. Citing the CBCHD mission statement, Mr. Ngam pointed out that the people should expect the best from the health centre when it kicks off.

According to the supervisor of the project, Mr. Elangwe Godwin, Dr. Ndum has equally offered a two-apartment duplex he constructed for his personal use any time he is home as a temporary residence for the staff who will begin the health centre since there are no houses nearby. Mr. Elangwe also noted that the CBCHD Technical Services Department (TSD) is working to get electricity power supply to the health centre. Nevertheless, the health centre has a 6.5 horse power generator for the meantime. He also revealed that for a start, Dr. Ndum has offered 2 hectares of land for the health centre.

Talking to HB Press after the ceremony, Mr. Kilih Gamaliel Ngong one of the staff to work in the health centre promised to put in his best with the other staff that to serve the people. He said he had no problem with the environment because, before his appointment last June, he was the Life Abundant Programme (LAP) Primary Health Care provider for Akwaya, still in Manyu Division where he tasted all types of bad roads and dangerous paths. According to him, his only fear would be the disappointment the enthusiastic population may experience if there will not be enough staff to begin the health centre given that first impressions are very dangerous and can be difficult to reverse.

The occasion witnessed a massive turnout from the local population most of who ended up feeling disappointed because they expected the health centre to begin immediately. Five pregnant women expressed their frustration to HB Press saying that they had made up their minds to go and have their babies in Ikom, Nigeria if the health centre delays to kick off and offer them antenatal services. Others expressed joy that no matter when it starts, the health centre will end their health misery and avoidable deaths. Various dance groups animated the ceremony and danced into the night as late as 10:00 p.m.

The CBCHD delegation to Ndebaya to receive the donated structure for the health centre included Mr. Ngam Joseph and Mrs. Diom Helen (MBH SNS) from Mbingo, Mr. Abraham Chiambah, TSD General Supervisor and Ngasoh Raymond, head of Press Division from HB Central and Mrs. Tih Helen. Edwin Mbu and Douglas (the drivers) braved the terrible roads through knee-deep mud heaps.

HB Central Chaplain, Mrs. Ndongndeh Eunice, has called on the 2011 Level One Summer Unit batch of the Centre for Clinical Pastoral Education and Social Services (CECPES) to be imitators of Christ wherever they go. She made the call on August 12, 2011 at the main hall of the Baptist Centre in a brief meditation during the graduation ceremony of this batch of students.

Reading from Ephesians 5:1-2, and meditating on the topic “Be imitators of Christ,” the Chaplain told the graduating students that they need to shun vices like segregation, partiality, favouritism, tribalism and any other attitude that is not of Christ if they must succeed in the field. Rather they should demonstrate boundless love to all who will need their services wherever they will be working.

Presenting the graduating students to the CBC Administration and other participants in the ceremony, the CECPES Director, Rev. Dr. Ndongndeh Godlove disclosed that the 10 students underwent 10 weeks of 400 hours of intensive course work from June to August 2011. The students, according to Rev. Ndongndeh, consisted of 3 men and 7 women with one of the candidates being from Nigeria and the rest from Cameroon. He said the supervisory sites for the students included Bamenda Regional Hospital, Bamenda Central Prison, Emaus Outreach Centre (a mental home) in Bamenda and Mbingo Baptist Hospital (MBH). Rev. Dr. Ndongndeh noted that some of the practical experiences included observing surgeries and other procedures in MBH and a disability day in which the students were blindfolded for 8 hours and led around by other staff of HB Central; all these in a bid to develop their empathy to enable them better function in the field.

To demonstrate the Jesus’ concept of humility to the students, Rev. Dr. Ndongndeh washed their feet and wiped them with the help of some assistants. He handed each student a towel with the command to go and do same to others.

Speaking on behalf of the Director of Health Services, the CBCHD Chief of Administration and Finance (CAF), Mr. Warri Denis noted that the role of chaplains and social workers has become indispensable in the provision of wholistic healthcare in the CBCHD. To him, a training like the one offered by the CECPES programme is a milestone in the provision of the kind of quality healthcare enshrined in the CBCHD mission statement. He challenged the graduands to endeavour to synchronise the knowledge they have acquired in the training with the practical realities in the field to avoid mismatching concepts. The CAF appreciated the CECPES Director for the vision to upgrade the quality of healthcare in the CBCHD through the training of chaplains and social workers. He also called on the students to depend on God in everything and in any circumstance.

On behalf of the Director of Evangelism and Missions, the Deputy, Rev. Fanfon Christopher reminded the graduands that they will face immeasurable challenges in the field given that theirs is a ministry to bring hope to people in various hopeless situations and to harvest others from the devils kingdom. He told them to watch and pray, but most especially, allocate time for when to do what so that they should not fall into the trap of praying throughout and failing to act when necessary.

For his part, the newly appointed Senior Administrator of Mbingo Baptist Hospital (MBH), Mr. Nji Richard noted that during their training the students undertook practical experience in MBH. He confessed that his hospital experience has changed his perspective and perception of chaplaincy services. Mr. Nji disclosed that he has now shifted from his position of underestimating the services of chaplains and social workers to fully accepting them as indispensable. He added that MBH will be like a football team whose goalkeeper has been issued a red card in a match if chaplaincy and social services are removed from the hospital.

Adding his voice to the previous speakers, the CBCHD Chaplaincy Supervisor, Rev. Tani Moses reminded the graudands that they can only be successful in the field if they observe the roles of effective communication with their clients. He challenged them to go and serve using the knowledge they have acquired over the last three months. Rev. Tani added that the CBC is proud that the Chaplaincy department which started very timidly over a decade ago is now a force to reckon with and can no longer be sidelined.

Two reflexions characterised the ceremony. Pastor Abioye David, the student from Nigeria spoke on the international perspective of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). He noted that though very intense and demanding, the CPE programme is a perfect forum to destroy a chaplain’s or a pastor’s “fixing” mentality and build an “I don’t know and I want to learn” perspective in them. Pastor Abioye’s reflexion and the second one by Victorine Nasam both highlighted the importance of such a training for anyone who wishes to be a perfect minister of the gospel.

The students each received an end of course certificate and promised to do their best in the field and keep the flame of the CBCHD bright. They all appreciated their trainer and other staff of the programme and the CBCHD for contributing variously to the skills they will now be using in the field to save lives. The Nigerian candidate was particularly moved by the caring attitude of the CBCHD staff and the friendly and hospitable nature of Cameroonians as a whole.

The Minister of Public Health has given figures which indicate that Nkwen Baptist Health Centre stands out in the implementation of the Head of State’s decision in his 2010 end of year speech to provide free treatment for simple malaria in children below five years old throughout the national territory. Minister André Mama Fouda made the revelation during a visit to Nkwen Baptist Health Centre on March 10, 2011.

According to Minister André Mama Fouda, Nkwen Baptist Health Centre, at the time of the visit, had already administered free treatment for uncomplicated malaria to over 163 children aged below 5 years as against 152 for the other institution (a public health facility) he visited in Bamenda.

The Minister visited the Nkwen Baptist Health Centre pharmacy where he personally checked the register, the new Antenatal Clinic (ANC) and ended up with the Chief of Centre’s office where he signed the visitor’s book. Minister Mama Fouda expressed satisfaction with the quality of service, infrastructure, personnel and other things he saw at the health centre and promised to channel the difficulties of the health centre and the CBCHB as a whole to the appropriate quarters for solution.

Speaking to the press at the end of the guided tour of Nkwen Baptist Health Centre, the Minister said his visit to the Northwest (NW) was manifold. He said the first stop on his itinerary was at the three proposed sites to host the Bamenda Referral Hospital announced last December 08, 2010 by President Paul Biya during his visit to the NW Region. Minister Mama Fouda noted that he was going back satisfied because the three sites all had good potentials. He said he was simply going to submit his observations to the authorities that be to take their decision as to which of the three sites should actually host the Referral Hospital so that feasibility studies should immediately start.

Minister Mama Fouda announced the second objective of his visit to Bamenda as intended to monitor the effective implementation of the head of state’s decision to provide free treatment for simple malaria in children in the different public, private and confessional health facilities in the Northwest Region. The Minister noted that of the two institutions visited in Bamenda town – one public and one confessional – Nkwen Baptist Health Centre was doing excellently well in implementing the head of state’s decision given that in less than one month it offered free treatment to close to 170 children. He added that the NW Governor had reassured him that the head of state’s decision was being effectively implemented in all the medical institutions in the region.

The Minister said the third reason for his visit to the NW Region was to ensure that the Chemo-Dialysis Centre at the Bamenda Regional hospital was actually fulfilling the purpose of its creation. He said he realised that the centre had already begun reaching its optimum given that it already had over 60 patients under its care. Minister Mama Fouda added that despite the relatively new team in place and the difficulty that comes with any beginning, the centre was on an excellent footing. He encouraged the team working at the Bamenda Chemo-Dialysis Centre to continue to work hard because the head of state’s decision to create it was to bring solace to people in the region with serious health problems.

The Minister of Public Health disclosed that the fourth item on the agenda of his visit to Bamenda was to decide the permanent site for the construction of the future Regional Medical Imaging Centre for the NW. He added that the tender for the construction will soon be launched and that it is likely that construction work will begin in the next four months.