From its humble beginnings in a rented room to its status as a 24/7 medical beacon, Bafoussam Baptist Hospital (BaBH) has redefined healthcare in West Cameroon over the last 25 years. On Saturday, January 24, 2026, the Bamendzi Stadium in Bafoussam was transformed into a sea of celebration as Bafoussam Baptist Hospital (BaBH) marked a monumental quarter-century of service. As it celebrates its Silver Jubilee, the hospital is not just looking back at its legacy but is stepping forward to meet a critical need: the establishment of a dedicated Pediatric and Oncology Department.
The story of BaBH popularly known as “Mbingo Annex Bafoussam” began on September 1, 1999, following a critical challenge. Many cases of unpaid bills were reported from patients who left all the way from the West region to get care at Mbingo Baptist Hosptal. There was need to set up a healthcare facility closest to the indegenes, and by so doing provide them with excellent care under reduced cost of transportation, and reduced long hour drives. Founded with just nine staff members and led by its first Chief of Center, Mrs. Ngwayu Margaret, the facility opened its doors in a modest, rented apartment. Driven by a mission to provide holistic care as an expression of Christian love, the hospital served 1,371 patients in its first year alone.
Over the decades, the facility transformed from a small health center into a premier hospital officially gaining hospital status in 2023. Key milestones included expansion of services, strategic growth and community trust.
Amidst the festivities to mark its 25th anniversary celebrations, the core focus remained on the urgent need to expand as BaBH launched a 30-million CFA fundraising campaign to build and equip a state-of-the-art Pediatric and Oncology Unit.
Currently, the hospital’s pediatric services are stretched to their limit, with a six-bed ward operating at a staggering 180.5% occupancy rate. This overcrowding means neonates often share space with 14-year-olds, while surgical wards see children and adults side-by-side, a reality that Dr. Evinda Ines, representing the Chief Medical Officer, described as a “Necessity, not an option” to change. Furthermore, with one-third of all internal medicine referrals being for oncology, the lack of a local specialized center has long forced vulnerable patients to undertake perilous journeys for life-saving care.
Addressing this crisis, the Director of Health Services, Mr. Ngum Samuel, spoke passionately about the hospital’s evolution from a dusty, unpaved path to a beacon of hope. He emphasized that the launch of the fundraising campaign for a dedicated Pediatric and Oncology unit is an investment in the dignity of every patient, ensuring that advanced care is accessible in Bafoussam.
The representative of the Governor of the West Region joined this call to action, sharing his first-hand witness reports of the great work carried out by the Cameroon Baptist Convention. He urged the community to send ‘their’ hands deep into ‘their’ pockets to rescue the lives of families.
Capping the spiritual and communal weight of the day, the Executive President of the CBC, Rev. Dr. Teke John Ekema, paid tribute to the pioneers of 1991 and all staff past and present, whose faith turned a dream into a 24/7 medical powerhouse. He called upon every guest to make a modest contribution toward the 30-million CFA goal, framing the expansion as a tribute to the thousands of families already impacted by the hospital’s care.
The fundraiser began with great success as dignitaries, staff, and families stepped forward to pledge their support. However, the journey is just beginning. This fundraising campaign remains open and ongoing until the doors of the new Pediatric and Oncology center are officially opened, ensuring that the legacy of healing, hope, and compassion continues for the next 25 years and beyond.
After 25 years of healing and hope, Bafoussam Baptist Hospital is ready to ensure that quality, specialized healthcare is no longer a privilege, but a guarantee for every child and cancer fighter in the community.
