The Baptist Institute of Health Sciences (BIHS) in Mbingo Baptist Hospital (MBH) is one of the major schools of the recently approved Baptist University Institute by the Cameroon Minister of Higher Education. For many years, the BIHS has been training and graduating specialist doctors in general surgery and internal medicine in Mbingo, an outstanding and referral hospital in Cameroon and beyond.
The thirteenth batch of graduation from the BIHS Mbingo took place on Saturday, November 22, 2025 including an all-male batch of three internists from the 4-year Christian Internal Medicine Specialization (CIMS) program and four general surgeons from the 5-year Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) program. The BIHS also graduated her second batch of Masters in Public Health (MPH) in the person of Dr. Ndi Norah, who thanked the school for giving doctors and other cadres the opportunity to further expand their knowledge in the MPH program.
Speaking through the Belo Field Pastor, the CBC Executive President (EP), Rev. Dr. Teke John Ekema congratulated the graduates for braving through the tedious training in terms of studies and the hostile socio-political climate. The CBC chieftain announced, amidst applause the recent government approval of the long-awaited Baptist University Institute, noting that Certificates from BIHS Mbingo will now have an added value internationally. The EP noted that the training of specialist doctors underscores CBC’s wholistic ministry, thus committing the constant support of the CBC to all the agencies of the organization. He challenged the graduates to go out and serve like Jesus Christ.
The same admonition came from the Director of Health Services, Mr. Ngum Samuel who was on duty in Kenya. On his behalf, the Acting Deputy Director in-charge of Clinical Services, Dr. Ndasi Henry paid tribute to the administration of MBH for providing an enabling environment for the successful training in the midst of the obvious challenges. “As you advance in your professional roles, remember that you are not only healers but also leaders. Ethical leadership in medicine requires integrity, transparency and above all compassion,” the DHS told the graduating specialist doctors.
The DHS encouraged the graduating specialists to continue learning because as he put it, “Our population and communities depend on more than just medical expertise; they rely on doctors who understand their unique needs, are present and accessible and see their work as a calling”. By choosing to train and serve with the CBC Health Services, the DHS believes that the doctors have chosen to take a stand at the forefront of closing healthcare access gaps and reducing inequalities.
In her commencement address via zoom from Gabon, the Vice Dean of BIHS in-charge of Research, Prof. Elit Laurie challenged the graduates to uphold the PAACS mission, which among other things, is to glorify God by training and discipling Christian surgeons. She spoke on the theme, “The Dust of a Rabbi” urging them to be with the Rabbi (Jesus as teacher), be like the Rabbi and Do what the Rabbi did.
Dr. Tchinda Gerard, Assistant CMO of MBH and Assistant Program Director of the CIMS program brought the charge to the graduating internists and general surgeons. Dr. Tchinda charged them to keep learning and keep moving, but only in the interest of the patients. “Ego is the anaesthesia that numbs the pain of simplicity,” he warned.
CIMS Program Director, Dr. Sunday David presented the graduating internists: Dr. Dountsop Antoine De Padoue, Dr. Gamba Bobuin Rodrigue and Dr. Alei Frank Foin while the Assistant Program Director of PAACS presented the general surgeons: Dr. Chinonso Paul Shu, Dr. Tchinda Ngueping Marius Jordan, Dr. Tanyi John Tanyi and Dr. Foretia Gilaume Nzepan. Through their two representatives, the graduating specialist doctors thanked the CBC for the opportunity given them to train, MBH for the enabling environment, their families for invaluable support and above God for sustenance. They pledged to go as ambassadors of Christ and serve the patients in his footsteps.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Administrator of MBH, Kwalar Rene was quick to note the impact of the training programs which have highly boosted our services. He boasted that the PAACS program that began some 20 years ago in Banso Baptist Hospital transferred to Mbingo Baptist Hospital to include the CIMS program and today we have specialist doctors in almost all CBC hospitals and some health centers.
Prof. Keith A, Streatfeild is Dean of the Baptist Institute of Health Sciences in Mbingo, Cameroon.
