Editorial: The Relevance of CBCHS’ Mission and Vision

The Good Book says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish" - Proverbs 29:18. The importance of mission and vision for the health of any Organization cannot be over-emphasized! More

A Mission statement defines the primary objective of an organization; the business, products or services, and customers. It provides detailed information about what the organization does, how it does, and who it does it for. So indeed, it helps focus the Organization on what really matters - to itself as well as to its stakeholders. Whereas, the Vision statement focuses on its goals and aspirations, which describes how the future will look if the organization achieves its mission. The mission and vision of any veritable organization should be timeless.

The vision and mission statements provide a focal point that helps to align everyone with the organization, thus ensuring that everyone is working towards a single purpose. This helps to increase efficiency and productivity in the organization. (From Blog Article by Colour Infusion, Cochrane AB - https://colourinfusion.ca)

Not having clear mission and vision statements would be like going on a journey without knowing the direction you are to follow or the destination.

The CBC Health Services is a Nonprofit, Faith-based, Humanitarian and Inclusive healthcare Organization that addresses both clinical, social, and public health problems affecting individuals and communities in Cameroon in particular and Africa at large. It is one of the departments of the Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC). CBC founded in 1954 is a living fellowship of churches growing in grace, strengthening one another in faith and working together in obedience to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission of Jesus Christ through worship, preaching, teaching, healing and social ministries. (www.cbc-cm.org).

Quality care to all!

The Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Service (CBCHS) has as mission to provide care to all who need it as an expression of Christian love and as a means of witness in order that, they might be brought to God through Jesus Christ. Thus, the CBCHB shall provide exemplary Health care with genuine compassion and with overriding purpose of evangelical witness. This is drawn from Matthew 9:35-36. Her vision is, “Quality care to all”.

The CBCHS since its establishment has been operating in Cameroon striving to further her mission and by no means deviating from it. They strive to PROVIDE CARE TO ALL WHO NEED IT AS AN EXPRESSION OF CHRISTIAN LOVE AND AS A MEANS OF WITNESS. If you go through the Scripture, Jesus ministered to all – those with leprosy, the prostitutes - I mean all who were rejected in the society; even those who hated Him. He had a goal in mind, His goal was the salvation of mankind. As the arm of the church, the CBC Health Services seeks to provide Care to all who need it as an expression of this Christian love and equally as a means of evangelical witness. Jesus fully aware that Judas Iscariot would later betray Him did not disown him but ministered to him as well.

Quality care to all!

The CBCHS has stood the test of time even in the current crisis situation; She has never deviated from providing care to all who need it. She has been seen in hard-to-reach areas. This is because, she developed a clear sense of her values even before the crisis. CBC Health Services' mission statement indicates a clear concern regarding a commitment to "quality and maintaining the highest standards of honesty and integrity in its dealings with all stakeholders”.

We equally praise God for the transformational leaders in the CBC Health Services who inspire, energize, and intellectually stimulate and stir employees to look beyond their own self-interest for the benefit of individual work groups and the organization as a whole.

The CBC Health Services has used her mission statement as a constant guide for her actions. She is out to satisfy customers’ needs. The mission of the CBCHS is clear: equality ("the proposition that all men are created equal and in the image of God")

Persevering through tragedy is not easy. The CBCHS has not let her shortcomings to keep her from her work. Staying true to her mission and vision has kept her in focus to learn from any challenges and sailing through when and where many are failing!!!
CBC Health Services and CBM giving hope to Refugees, IDPs, and their host communities in the Far North Region of Cameroon

The implementation of activities of the Project “Building Resilience of Refugees, IDPs, and host communities More

through improved access to Health, Education, and Income-generating Activities” has been launched.

The Project funded by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the Christian Blind Mission (CBM) and implemented by the CBC Health Services, was launched in Meskine, Maroua on June 1, 2023.

The launch was presided over by the Secretary-General (SG) of the Governor’s Office for the Far North region DIYEN JAM Laurence representing the Governor of the Far North Region. He says the decision to initiate and implement the project in the Logone and Chari, Mayo-Sava, and Mayo-Tsanaga is justified and timely as these Divisions are the hardest hit by the Boko Haram atrocities in the Far North Region.

CBCHS Director delivers speech at project launch

The CBC Health Services Director Prof. Tih Pius Muffih says the 4-year project which is targeting 34,011 direct beneficiaries is a sign of CBC Health Services’ strong commitment to improving the health and well-being of the people.

According to the Project Manager, Awa Jacques Chirac, activities of the project are in the domains of health, education, and socio-economic empowerment targeting mostly affected communities.

CBCHS Staff

The CBM Country Director Fon Julius said with CBM’s support of CBC Health Services which is its long-standing partner to extend services to the Far North Region, their aspirational goal is to see this comprehensive inclusive programming gain grounds in the Far North Region.

Photo de famille

Present during the launch were key stakeholders including persons with disabilities, the Rector of the University of Maroua, the Senior Divisional Officers of Mayo-Sava, Mayo-Tsanaga, Logone et Chari, and Diamaré, the Regional Delegates of Social Affairs, Health, Small and Medium-size enterprises, Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Employment and Vocational Training, Secondary Education, Basic Education, as well as Religious and Traditional leaders among others.
CBM/CBC Health Services Donate Medical Equipment to 4 Health Facilities in the NWR

The Comprehensive Program for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and Inclusive Access to Basic Services of More

Health and Education in the Northwest Region of Cameroon: P10228 has donated medical supplies and consumables for orthopedic, physiotherapy, mental health, ear and hearing care services worth 20 million CFA FRS to Banso , Mbingo Baptist Hospitals, Nkwen Baptist Health Center and SAJOCAH Bafut in the Northwest Region. The Director of CBC Health Services Prof. Tih Pius Muffih handed the items to the hospital Administration in the presence of some staff from the CBM Country Office and CBC Health Services recently at the Baptist Center Nkwen Bamenda.

While handing the donation to the recipients, Prof. Tih expressed gratitude to CBM for partnering with the CBC Health Services in meeting the health needs of Cameroonians. He appreciated the four health facilities for their efforts in providing health care to all who need it.

NBH receiving the donation from the DHS

The Project Manager Jacques Chirac Awa said the project is implemented in the Northwest Region and the four facilities receiving the donations are key stakeholders of the project. He said before the donation, the project team had conducted needs assessments of the Eye, Ear, Physiotherapy (PT), and Mental health departments of each hospital to identify their needs in providing services to the population, especially to those with and at risk of having disability. Thus the supplies are customized to the needs of each health facility.

Underlining the objective of the supplies, the Project Coordinator Lohshie Eugene expressed that CBM has supported CBC Health Services as part of their partnership agreement in the project to support four health facilities. The donation aims to ensure access to services by people at risk and those with one form of impairment or the other. The Coordinator implored the recipients to use the items judiciously to change the lives of people in the community and improve the lives of persons with disabilities

Administrator of Mbingo Baptist Hospital

.The Assistant Supervisor of Nursing Services in Banso Baptist Hospital Ngah Elizabeth described the items as a stitch in time given that the socio-political crises have led to the increased numbers of persons with disabilities in Banso . "With these items, we will be able to meet the needs of persons with disabilities" she noted. On his part, the Administrator of Mbingo Baptist Hospital expressed gratitude and acknowledged that the things will improve health care delivery. "It is a laudable gesture because CBM through the project has always been intentional about the health needs of the population," he expressed. The Administration of SAJOCA Bafut, Sister Geraldine said there are materials and equipment that the hospital did not have but with the donation they now have.

The donations were done thanks to funding from CBM
CBM Drill Project Staff on Compliance in Activity Implementation

A 3-day workshop organized within the context of the Comprehensive Program for Empowerment of Persons with More

Disabilities and Inclusive Access to Basic Services of Health and Education in the Northwest Region of Cameroon: P10228 for project staff and some partners has ended at the Baptist Center Nkwen Bamenda. The workshop which took place from the May 24-26, 2023 had as its objective to introduce the new CBM CBID strategy 2030 to project staff and partners, discuss contractual obligations of the project, and discuss reporting tools and communication strategy.

Project Manager drilling staff on strategies for activity implementation

At the start of the workshop, the Project Manager Jacques Chirac Awa welcomed the CBM team who were the main facilitators. He appreciated them for their availability in orientating the project team to ensure the timely implementation of activities in good quality.

The CBM's Field Communication Coordinator for West and Central Africa, Comfort Mussa drilled the participants on project/activities visibility and documentation of success/ human interest stories. In her presentation on the overview of CBM, Comfort said CBM is an International Christian development organization, committed to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities in the poorest countries of the world. It has existed for over 110 years. For over 50 years of existence in Cameroon, CBM implements 11 projects with 7 partners in 8 Regions. She emphasized the importance of collecting success/human interest stories on project activities to show evidence of the donors' money and equally raise more funds. In two sessions participants brainstormed on strategies for visibility and the collection of stories.

The Project Coordinator Lohshie Eugene presented the detailed implementation plan of project activities as well as updates of activities that have been implemented. The CBM CBID Project Officer (PO) Tebon Mispa congratulated the project team for timely and quality reporting. In her presentation, she sought to understand some activities on the project document and their level of implementation. The CBM CBID PO provided further orientation on some activities, reporting templates, and reporting deadlines. The CBM Country Finance Manager Ebong Terrence emphasized on the CBM finance and compliance requirements

Staff and partners brainstorming on project activities and setting targets

According to the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the Coordinating Unit of Association of Persons with Disabilities one of the implementing partners of the project, the workshop was timely because it was organized at a time when they are expected to submit reports. He is excited to understand the variables that are expected to be captured during activity implementation.

In an interview with the Project Coordinator, he described the workshop as an invaluable session that will make reporting, and supervision of project activities easy. Eugene added that orientations from the workshop will guarantee the funders on the understanding of the project team on the contractual obligations.

In her closing remarks, Mispa congratulated the project team and assured them of CBM's availability in supporting them in the work that they do.

This activity was implemented thanks to support from CBM
CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES NOT LEFT OUT

In an attempt to bridge the knowledge and access to the basic sexual and reproductive health services gap among More

children and adults with disabilities, they were not left out as the Children Momentum Project organized a sensitization and screening session just for them. The event which took place at the Nkwen Baptist Hospital Chapel on Wednesday, April 26^th, 2023, was aimed at educating the children on their sexual and reproductive health rights and carrying out screening for HIV. Including persons with disabilities in all activities is becoming an intentional move by programs of the CBC Health Services.

Turning up for the session with their caregivers or parents were children with cerebral palsy, physical handicaps, visual impairments, and hearing impairments. They were separated into two separate groups for discussions, the parents/caregivers on one side and the children on another. This was to enable the children to freely express their thoughts without the scrutinizing eyes of their caregivers. The educative talk on HIV was led by Mme Yawah Winifred, Coordinator of the Treatment Center, while Sexual and Reproductive Health was tackled by Mr. Djodzeven Divine, Sexual Reproductive Health Officer for the CBCHS.

Group session on Sexual and reproductive health education with caregivers

The guardians were taught on how to properly communicate sexual and reproductive health issues with their dependents. Many of them admitted to having reservations about the subject as it was generally an uncomfortable topic. The fish bowl exercise gave them an opportunity to express their fears for the children. At the close of the discussions with the children, voluntary screening with consent from the guardians was carried out, with them acknowledging the usefulness of the information received, and how their mindsets have been transformed.
MIDENO Partners with SEEPD Program, Gift 3000 Chicks to Persons with Disabilities

70 persons with diverse forms of disabilities, and 36 parents and care givers of some persons with disabilities in the More

Northwest Region have received 3000 chicks from the North West Development Authority with its French Acronym MIDENO. The distribution of the 3 weeks old chicks to these persons from Mbingo Baptist Hospital, SAJOCAH Bafut and Treasure Center Bamenda was an outcome of a partnership between the SEEPD Program and MIDENO to promote Inclusive Development in the mandate of the work they do.

One of the beneficiaries expresses gratitude to MINDENO

The chicks were handed to the beneficiaries by the Director General (DG) of MIDENO on April 15, 2023 at the MIDENO premises in Bamenda. According to the DG of MINDENO Anye Cletus Matoya, the gesture is aimed at improving productivity in livestock. He added that within the context of MIDENO's collaboration with the CBC Health Services SEEPD Program, he got motivated when he attended a workshop on disability inclusion organized by the CBC Health Services in 2021. "I discovered that we cannot talk development without taking everybody including people with disabilities. He implored them to use the chicks judiciously to ensure a sustainable livelihood.

The recipients of the chicks were selected in collaboration with the SEEPD Program after a needs assessment led by the Coordinating Unit of the Associations of Persons with Disabilities ( CUAPWD) in the North West Region. The beneficiary amongst whom are those who already own poultry farms were also given feed to enable them grow the chicks till when they are ready for the market. The distribution was motivated by the fact that as agents of development, persons with disabilities also deserve to be empowered like their peers with disabilities so that they can have an independent means of livelihood

Speaking during the event, the Board person of CUAPWD Armelle Nogning applauded the CBC Health Services for always advocating with and for persons with disabilities and linking them up to helpful opportunities. She expressed gratitude to MIDENO for the gesture which she said will serve as start off capital for most of the recipients.

The supplier of the chicks Hamza Danpullo assured the recipients that the chicks were the best breed, fully vaccinated and will be ready for consumption after one month.

Beneficiaries during the event showered praises to the MIDENO and the SEEPD Program for always ensuring that persons with disabilities are not left behind in the development process. Kuna Galabe Henry a beneficiary of 25 chicks described the gesture as empowerment to them. He says “Do not only give someone fish but teach them how to fish so I think this is a net that has been given to us so we can fish. If we have an independent life, we will no longer depend on others.”

Beneficiaries ready to receive chicks

The crisis in the two Anglophone regions has also rendered persons with disabilities more vulnerable. This is the story of Mr. Chi Joseph Atangam, an internally displaced person who was forced to leave his native home after being robbed of his table birds. He has been surviving from alms with his children but after receiving these 25 chicks, Mr. Joseph says he will no longer be asking for alms because he will now be able to take care of himself and his children.

It should be noted that Treasure Center Mile 2 Mendakwe received 400 chicks, SAJOCAH Bafut benefited from 350 chicks and Mbingo Baptist Hospital (MBH) received 350 chicks as a strategy to strengthen their existing systems to continue supporting the needs of children and adults with disabilities that receive services from these institutions. Shortly after the distribution SAJOCA Bafut and MBH were given 9 bags of feed each with Treasure center receiving 12 bags to enable them grow the chicks. In an interview with DG of MINDENO last year, he noted that they have allocated 25millionCFA for the social and economic empowerment of people with disabilities in the region. This chick distribution was carried out thanks to the budget that had been allocated.