CBC Health Services turns Another Chapter as Incoming Director is installed for 5-Year Mandate
Ngum Samuel, 48, has been inducted and installed as in-coming CBC Director of Health Services (DHS). The colourful and solemn ceremony took place Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Nkwen Baptist Church under the watchful eyes of government officials led by the representative of NW Governor, CBC Directors and General Council members, partners of the CBC Health Services, some Missionaries, family members, and an impressive crowd of CBC Health Services leaders and staff from across the board.
Installing Mr. Ngum into his functions, CBC Executive President (EP), Rev. Dr. Nditemeh Charlemagne in his usual style did not mince his words.
“No matter how competent you are, no matter how much you’ve achieved, know that one day you will drop and hand over the baton….You’ve a maximum of 10 years to serve as Director of Health Services,” – this in line with the revised CBC Constitution that gives CBC elected officials a maximum of two mandates.
The CBC chieftain explained that it is a tradition for the CBC to induct her leaders as a way of installing them and introducing them to the public for their collaboration and support. Recognizing that much water passed under the bridge in the course of getting a Director for the CBC Health Department, the EP cautioned that ‘Leadership comes from God; No one can help God in the choice of a leader’.
Rev. Dr. Nditemeh charged Mr. Ngum Samuel to take the CBC Health Services to higher heights, fight corruption, embezzlement, nepotism and tribalism in the Department with all his energy. “Do this with fairness; for no price is too heavy to pay when it comes to fairness,” he instructed.
The EP also had a lesson of love to the in-coming DHS. “Love your enemies; love everyone and be humble in your stand for truth”. As a church, the EP told the DHS to uphold the Bible as the highest moral authority in all matters.
The CBC Executive President brought greetings from the North American Baptist Triennial Conference, which he flew into the country from attending.
Responding to the charge, the in-coming DHS, Mr. Ngum Samuel felt honoured to be chosen to lead at this time. He quickly brought hope to the audience when he announced that there is hope in the horizon as the CBC Health Services turns a full chapter in its history that spans from 1975. He paid tribute to his predecessor, Prof. Tih Pius Muffih who in 40 years built a formidable health system that is second only to the government. He also honoured the humble contributions of the Missionaries and the close to 7000 workers of the CBC Health Services as a whole.
Mr. Ngum used the occasion to roll out the roadmap for the next five years of his mandate. Paramount among these are; to build a resilient healthcare system to consolidate the wins of the past leadership, foster innovations, embrace and invest in research, expand partnership with like-minded partners, sustain and improve on patient care, and reward hardworking staff among others.
The in-coming DHS said change is indispensable and appealed on those resisting or doubting change to bear with the situation and accept reality. He promised to fight those vices outlined by the Executive President namely: corruption, embezzlement, nepotism and tribalism.
In a thrilling devotional thought from 1 Kings 19:9-14, Rev. Joseph Wangyang, a pastor in Limbe Field spoke on “God’s Reserve Bench”. According to the preacher, people on the reserve bench are little known to men except to God.
All other dignitaries that spoke at the occasion welcomed Mr. Ngum Samuel to the helm of the CBC Health Services. The newly elected chairperson of the Health Board, Prof. Torimiro said, things will only get better for the department; on behalf of CBC Health Services leaders and staff, Dr. Nana Christopher pledged the support of the staff to the in-coming Director; on behalf of CBC Directors, the doyen, Mrs. Fubam Caroline admonished the new DHS to be humble and submit to hierarchy; for CBC Health Services partners, CBM Country Director, Fon Julius challenged the in-coming DHS to fast-track innovations in order to cope with the changing dynamics in the country; for the Medical Secretary of CEPCA, Nteff Jonathan, the organization of Protestant Churches looks up to the CBC Health Services; and finally on behalf of the Ministry of Health, the NW Regional Delegate through Dr. Ambe Lronard charged the new DHS to make CBC Health Services facilities more accessible to HIV patients. The dignitaries all hailed the collaboration and hard work of the outgoing DHS, Prof. Tih Pius Muffih.
Mr. Ngum Samuel is the second Cameroonian to serve as Director of Health Services. He holds MSc in International Health and currently PhD candidate. He is married and a father of four. Prior to his election by the CBC General Council on March 6 this year, Mr. Ngum Samuel was the Administrator of Etoug-Ebe Baptist Hospital Yaounde.
