CBC Executive President visits Kumba Baptist Health Center
“In everything you do, let there be fairness”. These were the words of the CBC Executive President (EP) Rev. Dr. Nditemeh Charlemagne who stopped by Kumba Baptist Health Centre on the occasion of his visit to Kumba Field and its institutions Friday, March 4, 2022.
The EP arrived Kumba at 8:00am and was greeted with a bouquet of flower from a staff, Aboh Sonita before being received by the Assistant Administrator, Mr. Yungseh Peter Nshiom, flanked by the Supervisor of Nursing Services, Mrs. Yuniwoh Delphine, Chaplain Mboh Loveline, the general staff body with palm fronts and flowers, and a heavy “njang/juda” dance group to usher the EP and his entourage to KBHC.
In a brief ceremony at the chapel, the Assistant Administrator welcomed the EP noting that though new in office at the helm of CBC, Rev. Dr. Nditemeh is not new in KBHC describing him as an “old K-town Boy” The Assistant Administrator gave a brief history of the institution remarking that thanks to the strategy 9 project, the institution was able to put up such a giant structure while struggling with the loan. He highlighted the various spiritual activities taking place in health center notably; daily morning devotions, weekly bible studies, a vibrant prayer band. TEE courses, choir and observation of Medical Day of Prayer. Mr. Yungseh noted that due to the crisis, the ‘’needy’’ keep on increasing on daily basis, making the challenge as a Christian institution to take care of them even greater. He revealed that staff regularly give from their salaries to support the needy and regretted that offerings collected from Medical Day of prayer no longer come to the Health Centre to remedy the situation.
The Staff Representatives led by Tushie Mercy also welcomed the EP noting that his presence to KBHC at this time of the crisis is prove of love and concern for his subjects. The Staff Reps appreciated the EP for the various structural adjustments and vision he has brought by giving youths the opportunity to take up leadership positions in the various CBC institutions across the board. The staff reps hoped that by the end of his mandate as EP, the CBC will be a better place. The Staff Reps also thanked the EP that despite the challenges, the institution has not been shut down and the staff continue to receive their salaries even though some sister institutions have been shut down with others having deplorable working conditions.
The Staff Reps, however, raised the challenge of space, shortage of staff, lack of major equipment in some departments, delayed salaries, need to raise staff on lower categories who work so hard to keep the system moving though they may not have certificates per se, and the need to subsidize rents for all staff in zone 1 whether posted or transferred. Above all, the staff Reps expressed their wish for the Health Centre to be upgraded to a hospital as soon as possible.
In his address to the staff, the EP expressed shock and surprise to the fact that offerings from Medical Day of Prayers no longer come to the health institutions. He charged the Field Pastor and the Assistant Administrator to ensure that this is done with a written report submitted to his office at the end of the year.
Responding to the Staff Reps challenges, Rev. Dr. Nditemeh Charlemagne noted that some institutions go for more than three weeks and more without salaries, nevertheless, “We can only pray that the situation gets better”. The EP promised to discuss the challenge of staffing with the concern and noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has been a major setback. He encouraged leaders to find a way to motivate staff who work hard and to respect staff who have labored to achieve higher certificates. The EP remarked that house rents subsidy cannot be granted to all staff as requested by staff Reps especially those posted and those who applied to work in their favourable stations. The EP was optimistic that although the ability to upgrade the Health Centre to a hospital does not lie in his hands, the challenge will soon be over.
On a general note, Rev. Dr. Nditemeh Charlemagne challenged the administration down to the heads of department to be fair in whatever decision they take over their staff, treat staff without bias and shun injustice at all levels. “No victim of injustice is a happy person,.” he said while calling on the continuous need for a peaceful and harmonious coexistence between the schools, church, and health departments of the CBC. “Don’t raise iron curtains and barriers between these departments for they are children of the same parent,” he added.
The EP remarked that he is working on criteria for extension of work after retirement across the CBC and reiterated the need for staff to retire when due and give room for the next generation. In conclusion, the EP called on the staff not to allow the challenges to discourage them from work. “Do your work as unto the Lord and not as unto man, and treat people fairly, if there is justice across the Board, we will have a better CBC. God Bless You,” he said as he proceeded with his tour to other institutions.