Editorial: The Relevance of CBCHS’ Mission and Vision

The Good Book says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish" - Proverbs 29:18. The importance of mission and vision for the health of any Organization cannot be over-emphasized! More

A Mission statement defines the primary objective of an organization; the business, products or services, and customers. It provides detailed information about what the organization does, how it does, and who it does it for. So indeed, it helps focus the Organization on what really matters - to itself as well as to its stakeholders. Whereas, the Vision statement focuses on its goals and aspirations, which describes how the future will look if the organization achieves its mission. The mission and vision of any veritable organization should be timeless.

The vision and mission statements provide a focal point that helps to align everyone with the organization, thus ensuring that everyone is working towards a single purpose. This helps to increase efficiency and productivity in the organization. (From Blog Article by Colour Infusion, Cochrane AB - https://colourinfusion.ca)

Not having clear mission and vision statements would be like going on a journey without knowing the direction you are to follow or the destination.

The CBC Health Services is a Nonprofit, Faith-based, Humanitarian and Inclusive healthcare Organization that addresses both clinical, social, and public health problems affecting individuals and communities in Cameroon in particular and Africa at large. It is one of the departments of the Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC). CBC founded in 1954 is a living fellowship of churches growing in grace, strengthening one another in faith and working together in obedience to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission of Jesus Christ through worship, preaching, teaching, healing and social ministries. (www.cbc-cm.org).

Quality care to all!

The Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Service (CBCHS) has as mission to provide care to all who need it as an expression of Christian love and as a means of witness in order that, they might be brought to God through Jesus Christ. Thus, the CBCHB shall provide exemplary Health care with genuine compassion and with overriding purpose of evangelical witness. This is drawn from Matthew 9:35-36. Her vision is, “Quality care to all”.

The CBCHS since its establishment has been operating in Cameroon striving to further her mission and by no means deviating from it. They strive to PROVIDE CARE TO ALL WHO NEED IT AS AN EXPRESSION OF CHRISTIAN LOVE AND AS A MEANS OF WITNESS. If you go through the Scripture, Jesus ministered to all – those with leprosy, the prostitutes - I mean all who were rejected in the society; even those who hated Him. He had a goal in mind, His goal was the salvation of mankind. As the arm of the church, the CBC Health Services seeks to provide Care to all who need it as an expression of this Christian love and equally as a means of evangelical witness. Jesus fully aware that Judas Iscariot would later betray Him did not disown him but ministered to him as well.

Quality care to all!

The CBCHS has stood the test of time even in the current crisis situation; She has never deviated from providing care to all who need it. She has been seen in hard-to-reach areas. This is because, she developed a clear sense of her values even before the crisis. CBC Health Services' mission statement indicates a clear concern regarding a commitment to "quality and maintaining the highest standards of honesty and integrity in its dealings with all stakeholders”.

We equally praise God for the transformational leaders in the CBC Health Services who inspire, energize, and intellectually stimulate and stir employees to look beyond their own self-interest for the benefit of individual work groups and the organization as a whole.

The CBC Health Services has used her mission statement as a constant guide for her actions. She is out to satisfy customers’ needs. The mission of the CBCHS is clear: equality ("the proposition that all men are created equal and in the image of God")

Persevering through tragedy is not easy. The CBCHS has not let her shortcomings to keep her from her work. Staying true to her mission and vision has kept her in focus to learn from any challenges and sailing through when and where many are failing!!!
CDC in Cameroon celebrates anniversary with partners and collaborators

The Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC) Health Services joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to celebrate its 20 years of Public Health Impact in Cameroon. The event took place at Hilton Hotel in Yaounde on September 10, 2024. More

The CDC which established an HIV Laboratory and Research Program in Cameroon in 1998, had its first office established in 2004. For 20 years, CDC has effectively had interventions in responding to HIV Tuberculosis and malaria; Preventing, detecting, and responding to health emergencies; Strengthening laboratory capacity and systems; and Enhancing disease surveillance and data systems. CDC for these 20 years worked closely with the Ministry of Public Health, the World Health Organization, and other partners to strengthen health systems, reduce illness and respond to disease outbreaks.

The CDC Country Director Dr Mohamed Jalloh expressed joy with the fruitful patnership with the Ministry of Health and other collaborators in Cameroon

Enumerating the wins of CDC across 20 years, the U.S. Ambassador to Cameroon Christopher J. Lamora states that “by providing technical and financial assistance to strengthen public health services and bolster the nation’s ability to detect and control epidemic threats, CDC has helped improve Cameroon’s healthcare quality and access significantly. With its partners, CDC has expanded HIV services to all 10 regions, trained nearly 2000 local field epidemiologists, and established the National Public Health Laboratory and five internationally accredited labs – among many other achievements”. He added that “Health has always been and will continue to be one of our top priorities in Cameroon, and the US Mission in Cameroon looks forward to continued collaboration to advance the health of people in Cameroon and around the world”.

Partners and collaborators received awards

In his message on this occasion, the CDC Country Director Dr. Mohamed Jalloh notes the key role played by CDC “in the implementation of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), and the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). These efforts he emphasized have improved health outcomes enhanced coordination in the health sector, and boosted Cameroon’s capacity to respond to health emergencies.

Thanks to the support of PEPFAR through CDC, Cameroon is now on the cusp of ending its HIV epidemic by 2030. Statistics from UNAIDS as of December 2023 show that over 90% of the 500,000 people living with HIV in Cameroon knew their status, nearly everyone diagnosed with HIV was on treatment, and nearly 90% of those on treatment reached viral suppression. Dr. Jalloh attributes this success to PEPFAR-funded partners who have been providing services in more than 300 health facilities across the 10 regions of Cameroon.

The delegation of the CBC Health Services at the anniversary

Talking about malaria, Dr. Jalloh revealed that “in collaboration with USAID through PMI, CDC has contributed to substantially reducing malaria cases and deaths among children. In 2024, CDC supported Cameroon in becoming the first country to introduce malaria vaccines in its routine immunization program”.

The Minister of Health Dr Malachie Manaouda thanked CDC for fruitful interventions in Cameroon, expressed the appreciation of Cameroon through the US Ambassador to the U.S. government for their support to improve the health of Cameroonians. Health, he acknowledges is the bedrock of any development, and good health will lead to emergence in 2035 in Cameroon.

The CBC Health Services exhibition stand showcasing its services

As an implementing partner of PEPFAR- funded projects across the years, the CBC Health Services joined the celebration showcasing its services. The CBC Health Services received an award in recognition of significant impact in public health disease prevention and response. Other individuals and institutions were recognized for their contributions in this 20-years journey with the CDC.

It is worth noting that the CBC Health Services is currently an implementing partner of the Cameroon Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (CAMPHIA) 2024. The results of this survey expected in 2025 will inform policies to further improve HIV response strategies in the country.
CNA’s CBC HS Chapter Welcomes New General Supervisor of Nursing Services

The CBC Health Services (CBCHS) chapter of the Cameroon Nurses Association (CAN) has expressed satisfaction for having a voice in the Director of Health Services’ Office with the appointment of a General Supervisor of Nursing Services for the CBCHS. More

Mr Yosimbi Promise, Supervisor of Screeners and Nurse Practitioners is the first person to occupy the post of General Supervisor of Nursing Services, an appointment they believe is a significant milestone for nurses of the CBCHS. This was during a meeting held at the Baptist Centre on Saturday, August 24, which brought together Supervisors of Nursing Services as well as heads of department from different Health Services facilities across the country.

Representing the Director of Health Services during the event, the Personnel Manager of the CBC HS, Mr. Ndosak George called on the Nurses to fully align with the expectations of the Nursing Council of Cameroon and to ensure that all the Nurses of the CBC Health Services are registered into their different Councils while ensuring their operations and practices standardized across all CBC Health Services facilities. It was the administration’s hope that through the association, the young nurses joining the system will be well groomed for better healthcare provision and to ensure that they work relentlessly to sustain the quality of care that is given to patients in our facilities.

Personnel Manager Bringing Greetings on Behalf of the DHS CNA Meeting

“Without the Nurse, there is no hospital and it will just be the work of the Nurse, done in a way that the patients are happy that the CBC Health Services will be talked about the way it is been talked about,” he concluded. The Personnel Manager was accompanied by the Assistant Administrator and Public Relations Officer for the CBC Health Services, Mr. Wango Barnabas.

In his keynote address, Mr Yosimbi emphasized the importance of the meeting which focused on adopting a new constitution and electing the executive. As General Supervisor of Nursing Services, Mr. Yosimbi acknowledged the challenges facing the nursing profession, including issues related to nursing training, changing disease trends, and epidemics. Despite the challenges, he was excited to accept his new position because of the confidence he has that they will work together. The Supervisor stressed the need for nurses to stay updated and maintain high standards in their practice, which is the pivotal role of nurses in the healthcare systems.

Elected President Adressing Members During Session

During the meeting, the Heads of Department and Supervisor of Nursing Services unanimously voted for a new organizational structure, with Ndong Etheldreda as President, Jator Brian as Vice President, and Tamon Eveline as Secretary and Yong Blessing as vice. Mbaye Lucas was elected as Financial Secretary with Nkeh Jenny as Vice meanwhile Ndzi Eric was voted treasurer. The nurses hope that this new structure will enhance their organization and effectiveness.
NW Regional Stakeholders convene to launch CAMPHIA 2024

The Regional launchings of the Cameroon Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (CAMPHIA 2024) have been taking place across all the regions of the Cameroon. More

The first regional launch took place in the Northwest Region on August 28, 2024, presided at by the Governor of the Northwest Region, H.E Adolphe Lele L'Afrique, and attended by all regional health stakeholders.

Prof. Tih Pius, CAMPHIA Country Director

The purpose of the launch, according to the CAMPHIA 2024 Country Director, Professor Tih Pius Muffih, who spoke on behalf of the Steering Committee and the Technical Working Group of CAMPHIA 2024, said it is a mandatory activity intended to bring together the leaders of the region and stakeholders in an information session to kick start the survey. It is generally to announce to the authorities of the regions that the field work is starting and to bring them together to know who is vital in the process of the survey. It is also intended for all regional Governors to declare the launch of CAMPHIA and call on all stakeholders to actively participate.

Situating the attendants in his welcome address, the Northwest Regional Delegate for Health, Dr. Che Soh Kingsley recalled that the HIV pandemic was discovered 43 years ago. Since then, governments of affected nations have been fighting against the pandemic. According to UNAIDS report 2023, about eighty-five million six hundred thousand (85,600,000) persons have been infected with HIV and about forty million four hundred thousand (4,400,000) persons have died from AIDS-related illnesses.

Statistics in Cameroon and the world have continuously shown that HIV is having a higher occurrence and impact in Sub-Saharan African countries. Also, specific groups have been identified as more vulnerable than others, and measures put in place to address this situation with the CAMPHIA survey being one of them.

DHS (second from right) at the launching of CAMPHIA in Bamenda

Presentation by CAMPHIA team

The prevalence of HIV in the Northwest Region, according to the 2018 demographic and health survey, was estimated at 4%, higher than the national prevalence of 2.7%. Currently, an average of Forty-Six Thousand Nine Hundred and Seventy-Nine (46,979) persons are living with HIV out of whom Forty-Three Thousand (43, 532) are on treatment. The 2024 CAMPHIA survey will measure the status of Cameroon’s national HIV response and shape policies for improvement.

The Regional Delegate called on all health stakeholders in the Northwest region to collaborate with CAMPHIA data collectors within their areas of jurisdiction from August 2024. He assured the implementers that planned interventions related to the survey would be supported to ensure smooth implementation in all the 21 health districts in the Northwest Region.

The Governor of the Northwest Region, H.E Governor Adolphe Lele L’Afrique in his launching speech thanked all his collaborators of the health sector and most importantly the US Government for funding the CAMPHIA 2024 survey through which his region is a beneficiary. He stated with emphasis that the Government of Cameroon has made the fight against HIV a priority. The US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), he acknowledged, has supported Cameroon’s HIV response efforts across the years.

NW Governor, H.E Lele L'Afrique calling on the population to open their doors to the CAMPHIA team

CAMPHIA will further help Cameroon ensure epidemic control through data collection. In Cameroon, the overall HIV prevalence for adults aged 18-49 years is 2.7 percent. The CAMPHIA 2017/2018 provided results that were pivotal in shaping US investment in Cameroon. This led to a rapid geographic expansion of a more comprehensive support from 4 regions to all 10 regions of the country. It also led to improved national policies in HIV response.

Some 17 enumeration areas and 600 households will be visited in the NW Region. The Chief Executive Officer of the region pledged the total support of the region to see the success of the survey, assuring that all security measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the staff on the field. The results, he buttressed, are for the betterment of the health situation of the entire population and carried out by well trained professionals. The data collection is under the National Institute of Statistics and the Ministry of Public Health who have put in all the measures for effective, efficient and reliable data collection and data management.

Dr. Kingsley Che Soh, NW Regional Delegate of Health

He used the occasion to also appeal to the entire population and the households in the enumerated areas to heartily welcome the survey teams. To the Senior Divisional Offices, Divisional Officers, the regional Delegate of Public Health, Community Leaders, Village Chiefs, religious authorities, Community Based Organizations, and the media, the Governor called on them to inform the public about the survey which results will greatly impact the region towards epidemic control.

CAMPHIA is a government-led activity funded by the Governments of the US. The CBC Health Services is the lead implementer of the project in collaboration with other national bodies.

It is worthy of note that Cameroon is the only country out of the six currently running the Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (PHIA), where an NGO has been selected to be the main implementer. The success of this will enable the CBC Health Services gain the status of competence to implement the PHIA project in other countries. This will be a boost to Cameroon, the Country Director is confident that Cameroon is up to the task.

The regional launchings come after the National launch that took place on August 1, 2024, in Yaounde under the patronage of the Minister of Health, Dr. Manouada Malachie.
CBC Health Services, West Regional Delegation of Public Health commit to improve Mectizan Distribution

Bafoussam, August 21-22, 2024: A meeting with some key stakeholders of the West Regional Delegation More

of Public Health held to introduce the new phase of the River Blindness program in Cameroon and put in a place a strategy to improve community participation in mectizan distribution. The meeting was also aimed at evaluating mectizan distribution for 2024 and to put in place a plan for 2025. The meeting took place at the Conference Hall of the West Regional Delegation of Public Health and organised by the River Blindness program of the CBC Health Services in collaboration with the West Regional Delegation of Public Health. It was attended by regional and district river blindness teams under the coordination of the national onchocerciasis control representative, District Medical Officers and some staff of the River blindness Program. In his presentation, the Program Logistics Officer, Mr. Che Manasseh highlighted the achievements of the program in 2023 which he said included free eye screening carried out in 44 schools in 11 health districts with over 12,581 children screened. He added that 827 of these children received free eye treatment and 100 benefitted free glasses. Mr. Che Manasseh disclosed that with the current phase, activities will run for three years (2025 – 2027) with the scope expanding from six health districts in the last phase to nine being: Foumbot, Kouoptamo, Bangourain, Foumban, Massangam, Malantouen, Mbouda, Galim and Batcham. During the meeting, certificates of recognition by the CBC Health Services for outstanding community distributors of mectizan were given to the respective District Medical Officers for handing over to the concerned in the communities. The 2023 implementation strategy was evaluated during which inadequate resources to meet the needs of the huge number of children who needed resources was identified as a major challenge. Lack of collaboration by some Councils to assist in the mobilization of community distributors to facilitate campaigns also featured. The health stakeholders agreed that as ways forward, the campaign for distribution of mectizan will begin in March 2025. To facilitate successful campaigns, it was resolved that District Medical Officers should work closely with Mayors of their Districts to ensure that they are fully engaged in the subsequent mectizan distribution campaigns. The River Blindness program in Cameroon has as ultimate expected outcome, the elimination of the transmission of river blindness in the West region by 2030 The project is funded by Hope and Healing International and implemented by the CBC Health Services in collaboration with the West Regional Delegation of Public Health. #HopeandHealing
CBM/SEEPD partner to scale up Uptake of Neonatal Services in NWR

Statistics from the World Health Organization estimate that about 430 million people are living with disabling hearing loss amongst them 34 million children. More

The head of the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department of the CBC Health Services Dr. Acha Everistus highlighted these facts at the start of a 2-day workshop on Neonatal screening which took place at the Baptist Center Nkwen Bamenda from July 29-30, 2024.

The workshop brought together nurses, midwives, and some ENT Staff drawn from 12 health facilities in the North West Region. The training was organized by the Comprehensive Program for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and Inclusive Access to Basic Services of Health and Education in the Northwest Region of Cameroon.

ENT nurse, Adella training participants on the screening exercise

Underlining the importance of newborn screening of hearing and vision, the ENT Surgeon, Dr. Acha noted that 5 -5 per 1000 newborns have some form of hearing loss stressing that hearing loss has a profound effect on the ability of an individual to communicate with others. He regretted that developing countries have few programs to prevent and treat ear diseases. However, he expressed that 50% of the causes of hearing loss are preventable the reason CBC Health Services in 2020 piloted the neonatal initiative in Nkwen Baptist Hospital, Mbingo Baptist Hospital, Tubah District Hospit, and Bamenda Regional Hospital to enhance awareness and understanding of the importance of early hearing screening in newborns. As the initiative continued to scale up, 8 other facilities were added in 2021 to 2024 making it 12 health facilities.

With her reach experience in screening over the years, Kumka Adella, Hearing Aid Audiologist and ENT nurse from Mbingo Baptist Hospital, schooled the participants on hearing screening. She said hearing loss varies in degree ranging from mild to profound. Hard-of-hearing people can listen to conversation with loud sounds while deaf people often have little or no residual hearing and may benefit from sign language. She emphasized that early screening is best and can be done after birth and during immunization. She trained the participants on practical ways to screen the newborns, with participants engaging in practical sessions to have a better understanding of the exercise.

Dr Acha imploring health care providers to be ambassadors of neonatal screening

A specialist in Ear and hearing care from Shomea Foundation in Israel, Dr. Vofo Shomea drilled participants on the COHVIN screening model of hearing and vision, equipment care, and what to communicate to parents before, during, and after screening. During the workshop, participants also gained knowledge on neonatal eye screening.

Some new facilities were handed the neonatal screening machine. The participants expressed that the initiative will go a long way to prevent disability from hearing loss. They promised to train other staff in their facilities as well as raise awareness to ensure a massive increase in access to the services.

At the end of the workshop, the Project Coordinator noted that the initiative is being implemented in the region, thanks to support from CBM. He urged the participants and the hospital administrations to own the initiative and put strategies in place that ensure sustainability. Dr. Acha implored them to use the screening machines judiciously. He reiterated that the screening of newborn babies should be the standard of care.

CAMPHIA

September 6, 2024

NW Regional Stakeholders convene to launch CAMPHIA 2024

The Regional launchings of the Cameroon Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (CAMPHIA 2024) have been taking place across all the regions of the Cameroon.

August 3, 2024

CAMPHIA 2024 Launched: CAMPHIA is an opportunity for Cameroon households

By Clementina Njang Yong

From August 2024 to February 2025, the Government of Cameroon through its Ministry of Public Health, is leading the implementation of the data collection phase of the second Cameroon Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (CAMPHIA) survey dubbed CAMPHIA 2024.

December 9, 2023

CAMPHIA Office Dedicated In A Typical CBC Tradition

By Clementina Njang Yong

The office to accommodate staff of the CAMPHIA (Cameroon Population-based HIV Impact Assessment) project of the CBC Health Services has been