One Stop Shop for GBV Survivors Goes Operational in BHM
In response to the ongoing crisis in the Northwest and Southwest Region of Cameroon for the past 3-4years, a One Stop Shop for Gender Based Violence (GBV) Survivors in Emergencies and a maternity waiting home in the Southwest Region have been officially opened and dedicated to the Lord on December 14, 2019. Hosted at the Baptist Hospital Mutengene, the One Stop Shop/Maternity waiting is funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The CBC Health Services’ Gender and Child Protection Officer, Mrs. Nsono Josephine, while appreciating the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for funding, submitted that “This is a space reserved and dedicated for gender based violent survivors to receive holistic care from stigma and trauma involved in going from one service provider to another as well as the challenges involved in accessing legal services and justice”.
Present at the handing over and dedication of the one stop shop were the Divisional Delegate for Women’s Empowerment and the Family (MINPROF), administration of Baptist Hospital Mutengene (BHM), heads of services, and the media among others. The Divisional Delegate of MINPROF, Mrs. Ashu Veronica lauded the CBC Health Services and UNFPA and noted that the one stop shop is a very welcome initiative in her jurisdiction given the growing reports of gender-based violence in the face of the crisis in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon.
The Delegate related a case in Tiko, which she revealed, will be the first case she will be sending to the centre. “This has come to add to already existing centres in the division to handle the growing psychosocial issues of survivors of gender-based violence but this one is ideal given the services offered in one space,” observed the Delegate.
The Chief Medical Officer of Baptist Hospital Mutengene, Dr. Ndasi Henry said it is a privilege for his institution to host such a facility that will help them give holistic care to their clients. Adding his voice to the CMO, the Assistant Administrator in charge of Personnel, Mr. Nfor Ngamngong Emmanuel noted that the hospital administration is ready to partner with the ministries and others to help the hospital achieve its goal of offering holistic care and quality services to all who need it with compassionate love.
After the brief session at the chapel, the Gender and Child Protection Officer walked the Divisional Delegate, administration, media and others present through the one stop shop explaining the different services offered there.
“Services available at the centre are office assistants, social workers, mental health nurse, medical doctor, legal adviser who will focus on the protection measures for the client. The space has rooms for clients to rest for a few days before being integrated into their society or community. The equipped maternity home has rooms for pregnant women and girl survivors to stay a month or two in anticipation of their day of delivery,” explained Josephine.
A short film was projected at the centre to show a scenario of gender-based violence and how it should be handled in the services already made available in the centre. The head chaplain of BHM, Rev. Timlak George dedicated the centre and the workers in the hands of God. He also prayed clients will find solace after leaving the centre.