BSPH Mutengene: From Idea to Product
What started as an idea in 2004 as the Regional Training Center in Mutengene, an offshoot of a partnership with USAID/AWARE project, was transformed into a product in 2022 following authorization by the Ministry of Higher Education creating the Regional Training Center of Excellence, otherwise called, Baptist School of Public Health (RTCE/BSPH) as a specialized Christian Higher institution for the training of health and paramedical professionals.
On December 14, 2024, the RTCE/BSPH graduated her fifth batch of 73 trainees in the following five specialties: BSc in Health and Social System Management, BTech in Biomedical Engineering Technology, Diploma in Social Work with specialization in Community Based Rehabilitation, Diploma in Multiskilled Rehabilitation and Diploma in Biomedical Engineering Technology.
The colourful graduation, which held under the theme, “Empowering Communities in Affordable Healthcare: Changing Lives,” took place for the first time at the school’s permanent site at Ombe hosting ultra-modern structures for classrooms and hostel, thanks to exclusive funding from the AFAS through the Liliane Foundation via the EDID program of the CBC Health Services. The graduation brought together government officials led by the D.O of Tiko Subdivision, CBC officials led by the Executive President elect, family members and students of the RTCE/BSPH.
Welcoming guests and participants to the ceremony, the Director of Health Services (DHS), Mr. Ngum Samuel highly appreciated his predecessor, Prof. Tih Pius Muffih, current chairman of RTCE/BSPH for the vision he casted for the creation of RTCE/ BSPH and Mrs. Agho Glory, EDID Program Manager for sourcing funds for the construction of the school. The DHS, Mr. Ngum Samuel charged the graduating students to go out as good ambassadors. Mr. Ngum revealed that BSPH has current enrollment of 275 students spread in 11 programs with a faculty staff of over 50.
Representing the CBC Executive President (EP) as guest of honour was the EP elect, Rev. Dr. Take John who coincidentally was making his first official outing in an occasion taking place in Limbe Field which is his base. The EP elect thanked the EP, Rev. Dr. Nditemeh Charlemagne, who was unavoidably absent, for assigning him to such noble task. Rev. Dr. Teke cautioned the graduates as follows; “The world is full of many clowns… with your certificates, go out not to amuse the world but to amaze the world”.
The D.O of Tiko Subdivision, Voh Armstrong took to the rostrum to celebrate his Baptist heritage in all honesty. He said he is proud to a be a Baptist and remarked that only the CBC could take such a bold step of building such beautiful structures in such an area in Limbe Field. Given the security context at the moment, the D.O committed himself to assure maximum security in the area at all times.
Another Baptist Christian to the core was the representative of the SW Regional Delegate of Health who saluted the apt theme of the celebration which falls in line with the vision of the school, “An educated community that enhances positive social change”. The regional delegate’s representative called on the graduates to each register in their respective medical corps, because as she put it, nobody will be allowed to practice in the near future without them being registered in their professional corps. She congratulated the CBCHS for their solid collaboration with the Ministry of Health in the provision of quality healthcare to underserved communities.
Dr. Mokake Martin Divine Ngomba, Director of the Buea Regional Hospital thrilled the audience in a brief but succinct academic discourse. Himself an ardent Baptist, Dr. Mokake thanked the CBC for championing quality healthcare provision in Cameroon only second to the government. He charged the graduating health and paramedical professionals to drive change from the community by listening to the community and by educating the community. “Community education is your first mandate,” Dr. Mokake stressed. The medic of exceptional class stressed on the need for a change in hospital structures, change and improvement in equipment and change in making healthcare provision more affordable to the community.
One of the high points of the graduation ceremony was the presentation of diplomas to the graduating students officiated by the Academic Dean, Dr. Nkuoh Godlove and the Academic Registrar, Dr. Rita Fubam. They were assisted by the dignitaries to hand over diplomas to the graduating students.
In perspective, five new programs will be added to the eleven programs currently running at the RTCE/BSPH in Mutengene-Ombe. The new programs to go operational in 2025/2026 academic year include: Three-year BSc in Public Health, 3-year BSc in Human Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, 2-year Masters in Clinical Nutrition, 2-year Masters in Clinical Counseling, and 2-year Masters in Public Health. To secure a space, contact emails: registrar@bsph.cbchealthservices.org or dean@bsph.cbchealthservices.org.
