CBCHS Partners with Roche Pharma to boost Cancer Services in Cameroon
Roche Pharma, a leader in the pharmaceutical industry and Oncology is working towards a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the CBC Health Services to improve cancer care for patients in Cameroon. In a two day workshop that held at the CBC Health Services Resource Center in Mvan, Yaounde from January 29-30, 2020, Roche Representatives had the opportunity to interact with staff of the Cancer Care Program including medical doctors, and other departments like the chaplaincy, the pharmacy, Palliative Care, and Nursing Care. During this workshop, Roche was updated on the situation of cancers in Cameroon, and the work done by the CBC Health Services so far.
According to the Director of CBC Health Services, Prof. Tih Pius Muffih, the new dimension of working with Roche on Oncology drugs and other diagnostics will go a long way to improve on the quality of care that is given to cancer patients in Cameroon. The MoU that the CBC Health Services will sign with Roche will enable the provision of cancer drugs at very affordable prices to be made available to patients in Cameroon. The diagnostics that will be gotten directly from Roche after the signing of the MoU will put in place effective equipment to be used in diagnosing cancer cases more appropriately. Working with Roche will also enable the putting in place other funding sources and preventive strategies to diagnose and prevent cancer in the population of Cameroon.
It is worth noting that cancer treatment has evolved progressively within the CBC health Services which initially only advised and asked people to stay safe from cancer and administered pain killers to those in need. Recently, the institution established the Cancer Registry and is now offering cancer therapy like radiation and other forms of treatment. There are hopes for improvement especially with Roche for more effective cancer drugs for patients at affordable prices.
Cameroon’s Operations Manager for Roche Pharma, Mr. Charles Ngoh says the partnership with the CBC Health Services will go a long way to improve the situation of cancer awareness, funding, diagnostic capabilities, and medicines. When improved, patients living with cancer will be able to go through their journey in a very smooth way. “The CBC Health Services shares the same vision of giving hope to cancer patients in Cameroon, and therefore, the right partner to accomplish our shared vision,” Mr. Ngoh.
An internist working in Medical Oncology at the Mbingo Baptist Hospital, Dr. Francine Kouya has also applauded the cooperative meeting with Roche to discuss together and know the challenges faced in the cycle of cancer treatment by the medical staff, the screeners, the psychosocial support department, the pharmacy, and the survivors. Noting that it is impossible to treat cancer in isolation especially in low and middle-income countries, there is the need for a holistic approach that will ensure treating the patients with a single protocol. As a result, CBC Health Services is working with other partners with extensive experience in cancer treatment for a better foundation for the CBC Health Services cancer work.
Through the Communication Unit of the CBC Health Services, Prof. Tih addressed the public, cancer patients and most especially affected families on this World Cancer Day commemorated on February 4, 2020. To the general public, he called on them to endeavor to get cancer education as well as do their screening for various forms of cancers. With the existence of different kinds of cancers ranging from pediatric cancers, women cancers, men’s cancers, etc they can be treated if detected early. For those who already have cancer, he encourages positive living. Patients should seek appropriate treatment and be on the treatment regularly following the Doctor’s prescription. To families with cancer patients, he cautions them to treat these patients with love and to be gentle with them and accompany them throughout the cause of their illness and treatment to enable them to live comfortable lives.
Mr. Charles Ngoh on his part, says the Cameroon cancer patients like others the world over have the right to treatment like anywhere else in the world and as leaders, something must be done to address the needs of these patients and everyone should work towards giving hope to patients.