Disability Inclusive Child Protection Project trains CBCHS Focal Persons
36 Focal Persons all drawn from facilities of the CBC Health Services have had their skills and knowledge on Child Protection and Child Safeguarding improved in a bid to mainstream Child Protection services within the institution.
The 2-day training took place in Bafoussam from Monday July 26-27, 2021 aimed at ensuring that all focal persons in these facilities understand the concept of Child Safeguarding and Child Protection in Cameroon, within the context of the CBC Health Services and the communities in which they work. This knowledge will help them identify child abuse cases and know how to manage and/or refer them in the exercise of their daily duties. The identification of child abuse cases which are intended to be recognized from all entry points in the hospital ensures that services providers intentionally pay attention to all visible and invisible child abuse signals presented by or on a client.
The training emphasized the need for services providers within the CBC Health Services not only to safeguard the exploitation of clients at their facilities, but also to emphasize the need for all staff to sign a commitment form not to perpetrate abuse on survivors who seek services within the CBC Health Services. It was noted that if these measures are respected, child abuse will be mitigated or completely curbed in all facilities of the CBC Health Services.
The training was officially opened by the West Regional Delegate of Social Affairs, Mr. Njie Fidelis who doubled as one of the training facilitators. In his opening address, the Regional Delegate cautioned all participants to use the knowledge acquired during the training for the benefit of the children they are out to protect.
This appeal was corroborated by the Administrator of the Bafoussam Baptist Hospital, Mr. Fambombi Dickson who encouraged them to be ambassadors against child abuse in their local areas and make people in the community understand the work of the CBC Health Services in the domain of child protection.