New CBC Director of Health Services assumes Office, calls for Stewardship, Team Spirit
Mr. Ngum Samuel, the new Director of the CBC Health Services (DHS) assumed office on Friday, May 3, 2024 in a historic handing over ceremony from Prof. Tih Pius Muffih, erstwhile Director who led the CBC Health Services to greener pastures in four decades. The brief but solemn handing over ceremony was supervised by CBC Executive President, Rev. Dr. Nditemeh Chalemagne and witnessed by other CBC Departmental Directors.
On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, the new DHS, Mr. Ngum Samuel attended devotions for the first time at the CBCHS Central Administration, where he addressed the staff for the first time. In his usual charisma, the Deputy Director for Administration and Finance (DDAF), Mr. Denis Warri welcomed the new Director and introduced him to the staff who greeted him with a standing ovation. The DDAF requested the CBCHS Central Administration staff to work with and follow the leadership of the incoming Director.
The highly motivated Mr. Ngum Samuel, visibly awed by the warm reception acknowledged the staff while hailing his predecessor, Prof. Tih Pius. Having worked with the Health Services in the hospital setting for 21 years and as Administrator for 9 years, including Etoug-Ebe Baptist Hospital Yaounde where he is coming from, the new DHS brings on board years of experience. As a diligent and conscientious steward, Mr. Ngum Samuel promised to continue uplifting the mission and vision of the CBC Health Services and to uphold the legacy set by Prof. Tih Pius Muffih.
“We are not reinventing the wheel which has proven to work, but we will stand on the shoulders of Prof. Tih whom I consider a library and global asset to healthcare systems,” he said. “Prof. told me, <<Sam the legacy is here, you have to move it forward>> therefore the stakes are too high for us,” the new DHS added to challenge the anxious staff.
Set to work, Mr. Ngum Samuel promised to collaborate with the staff to consolidate the progress made so far in the Health Services’ close to 50 years of existence, reiterating the importance of building resilient healthcare systems.
“As the CBC Health Services, we are patient-centred and patient focused, be it in the projects or hospitals, no matter the department, we are here for the patients and that will be our primary focus,” he emphasised.
The DHS further explained the need to pull from the WHO building blocks of healthcare systems which are Service Delivery, Health Workforce, Financing, Access to Medicines, Health Information Systems and Governance. “We will always look at our healthcare system through these six pieces so we can last. We have all that it takes and with skilled professionals, we will harness these efforts to pull towards one direction. We refuse to be distracted!!!”, he stated emphatically.
The new DHS promised to unravel his vision for the next 5 years in the days ahead. Mr. Ngum emphasised the need to work as a team for the legacy entrusted in his hands for future generations and for the benefit of patients, to bring a human touch to those in need. He observed that the CBCHS that started in 1975 will celebrate its 50 years anniversary next year 2025.
At the end, the staff with one voice and led by the Head Chaplain of the Central Administration, Rev. Fongoh Godwin, sang the third stanza of the hymn, ‘Stand Up Stand Up for Jesus, before praying for God’s grace and wisdom to take control of the Director of Health Services.
In the words of the incoming DHS, “The CBC Health Services is a big force in healthcare delivery in the country and the stakes of the institution are higher than can be imagined”. What a clarion call for every CBC Health Services worker to come on board and firmly rest their hands on the plough, everyone at his/her post!
