Director of Health Services visits Bonaberi Baptist Hospital Douala with Good Tidings
Professor Tih Pius Muffih, Director of Health Services (DHS), on Friday, November 10, 2023, paid an unexpected visit to the staff of Bonaberi Baptist Hospital Douala (BBHD). The visit was in line with the DHS’ promise to visit the facility before the year runs out, the reason why the DHS braved the heavy rains and bad weather of that morning in Douala to talk to his fellow staff at BBHD.
In fatherly words, the DHS thanked and encouraged the staff for their hard work and endurance in Douala, which is sustaining crisis-plagued facilities like Mbingo and Banso Baptist Hospitals functioning at 30-40%. In this regard, the public health figure reminded the staff that the CBCHS is engaged in a lot of partnerships that have given birth to projects that are greatly sustaining the whole system. He said the projects, which more are still are still in the pipeline, have come to stay and will only stay if we all manage them well. “Pray that through all these partners we are going to do over and above what Cameroonians and others can imagine a church organization can do. We are home and moving forward”.
In what could be termed as the center gravity of the visit, Professor Tih Pius Muffih admonished the staff to be LEADERS and NOT AUTHORITIES. The Director challenged the staff to shun the spirit of authoritativeness as this more often than not has led to the collapse of many organizations. “I believe effective and good leadership is very important, when you are a leader you have a team following you and you are going to succeed, and if you are a leader, lead and stimulate the people you work with to serve. Do not be an authority over them.” Prof. Tih called on all to be leaders to sustain the CBCHS in their leadership.
Coming from the horse’s mouth, the Director of CBC Health Services answered to rumor about his retirement come December 2023. “There is no success without a successor and nothing succeeds more than success. I will be praying with all of you to stand firm to the value we have lived for and to say forward yes! backward no!. The CBCHS was NOT my thing, it was our thing and we have to work with it. The opportunity I have from the CBC is that they say I should continue to lead the projects and work with projects for the entire CBC more with the CBC Health Board and of course, trying to see other departments to come up. To me, my very first assignment is to MENTOR the person that will take over the services from me” – words of Prof. Tih Pius Muffih.
The Director who doubles as an NCDs Champion and sport lover encouraged the staff to take the DHS Keep Fit Tournament seriously. He told BBHD staff that the essence of the Tournament is to keep fit, camaraderie, understanding, and social interaction among colleagues. He promised the upcoming finals in Bafoussam 2024 will be more explosive and interesting.
BBHD Administrator, Madam Fon Rose Nyimeh thanked the DHS for the encouragement and package of good news. She reminded Prof. Tih that his visit is coming at a time and month when BBHD just turned five years of existence.
“We want to assure you that as the leadership of this institution, you have a wonderful staff here in Bonaberi Baptist Hospital Douala. We have said it to them severally that we are very proud working with them. They actually are making things quite easy for us with the quick way they understand and accept situations. Thank you for your leadership, you have imbibed a lot of leadership skills in all your staff and there is no way we can separate from it, it is already in our systems the way you have cultured us. We are glad to be working with you, we are glad for all the good use, we count it a blessing,” the Administrator told the Director.
The Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Yemene Zangue Plendou joined his voice to that of the Administrator to welcome the DHS.
Speaking on behalf of the happy staff, one of theirs, Madam Ngum Janet Ndi said, “Your presence here today comes like a booster to us and actually proofing to us that you are a father, we love you. Forge forward and more grease to your elbows. Ahead, ahead we are behind you. We love you so so much, we are working and not getting tired because of your loving words”. Madam Ngum used the opportunity to thank the DHS for BBHD leaders whom she described as umbrellas, mothers, fathers, listeners, and painkillers”. She invoked words of blessings and protection over the Director. “God will keep on sustaining you, we are down here as the foundation supporting you,” the spokeswoman affirmed. The Director thanked the Administration and staff for the encouragement through their mouthpiece.
From the sacred solos of songs, the staff chanted SSS #530 (In the hollow of his hands) calling on the good God to enclose Prof. Tih Pius Muffih into his hands. He was equally prayed for by Head Chaplain, Toh Samson before he left BBHD.
From Bonaberi the Director was heading to Bonanjo in Douala to meet with the Minister of Public Health for the implementation of a project in the making.