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!!!
Parents motivated to adhere to Treatment of their Children with Clubfoot Deformities

Parents of 14 children currently undergoing clubfoot treatment at the Nkwen Baptist Hospital Clubfoot Clinic have expressed More

satisfaction and gratitude to the CBC Health Services and Its funding partner Hope and healing International for the successful treatment outcomes of their children.

The parents congregated at the Clubfoot Clinic on November 30, 2024 for the clinic’s first support group meeting. Within the context of the Comprehensive Clubfoot Program in Cameroon (CCPC) each of the more than 22 clubfoot clinics has a clinic day each week. During the correction phase of a typical clubfoot deformity, parents bring the child to the clinic every week for 5 to 6 weeks. During the maintenance phase, the parents come periodically (monthly or quarterly) on the clinicians’ instructions based on treatment outcomes.

Clinic head welcoming parents to the meeting

The parents support group meeting is an activity of the CCPC with the aim of bringing to the clinic on the same day all parents whose children are undergoing treatment at the clinic no matter the stage of treatment. The aim of the activity is for experience sharing and support of one another among parents of children with clubfoot aimed at reducing occurrence of relapse.

During the Nkwen Baptist Hospital Clinic, the clinic head, Pawa Abigail welcomed and thanked the parents for turning up for the meeting. She told them that they were all brought together to commune, encourage and support each other to comply to the treatment protocol.

During the meeting, five parents whose children’s feet have been corrected and they are at the bracing stage were given the opportunity to share the experiences of their delivery of children with clubfoot and their treatment journey at the clinic.

One of the parents, Ouiniva Nembo said, when she came to the clinic anxious and not sure of the outcome of her son’s treatment. After the initial education on the treatment process, her encounter with and encouragement from women whose children were older in treatment, she was assured and motivated. Her son’s feet have been corrected and he is now on braces (special shoes worn to maintain the foot in the corrected position) and she is excited to share her testimony.

Mothers happy to meet and encourage one another

For her part, Stephanie Mungwi recounted that after several attempts in a health facility and then at a traditional practitioner because of the stigma and shame associated with her son’s deformity, she was finally referred to the Nkwen Baptist Hospital Clinic. She explained that when she came she was encouraged as she saw other mothers with children being treated of the same condition as her son. With a broad smile she said today she is happy her son’s feet have been corrected he is in the maintenance phase. She qualified her attempts at other places as a total waste of time and resources. Both mothers encouraged parents whose children’s treatment is still starting not to relent efforts in adhering to instructions and in respecting appointments as in due time their children’s feet will be fully corrected.

One of the parents, Jacenta Tohjeah whose child was still in the second week of treatment, promised to meticulously honour all appointments and follow all instructions, thanks to the testimonies of the above mothers.

During the meeting, the parents also watched with keen attention a doodle animated documentary which has been produced by the program on the stages of clubfoot treatment and used for adherence counseling.

Parents watching doodle animated documentary

The CCPC Safeguarding Officer, Mrs. Boyo Maurine schooled the parents on the rights of children undergoing treatment and the need for their safety and wellbeing to be ensured at community and facility levels. She encouraged them to act like advocates for the treatment of children born with clubfoot in their communities and to report any cases of abuse of their children at the level of the clinic.

The parents were also briefed on the activities and role of Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Field workers in the treatment process of their children by one of the CBR Field Workers, Joyceline Ngum. She told them that they follow up the children at community levels to ensure that the parents adhere to instructions given at the clinic.

The CCCP is a one-year program implemented in 6 regions of Cameroon with funding from Hope and Healing International.
Baptist Hospital Mutengene sets pace in fighting burnout, a priority for Nurses’ Health

Baptist Hospital Mutengene (BHM) has enlightened Nurses on Causes of burnout, Consequences and Innovations to tackle it. More

This was during a Nurses' Conference that took place on November 29, 2024 at the Hospital’s Chapel. Holding under the theme, "Reviving the heart of Nursing: Building Resilience to combat burnout, nurses were drawn from BHM, satellite health facilities, partner health institutions and training schools in the Southwest Region of #Cameroon.

The Conference was organized by the BHM Administration and led by the Supervisor of Nursing Services (SNS) Mme. Yong Genevieve.

Mme. Yong Genevieve. The brain behind the Nurses' Conference

Burnout is described as the gradual physical, mental, and emotional erosion due to long term involvement in emotionally demanding and unfulfilling situations. These include exhaustion, depersonalization, achievement void, compassion fatigue etc. The nursing field is technically very demanding with nurses witnessing death, human grief, and suffering every day. It also demands a lot of their humanity: their minds, hearts and spirits.

In a presentation titled, “Preventing Burnout by Developing Resilience,” Mr. Ndzi Eric Ngah prescribed resilience as the antidot for burnout and compassion as the emotional response when perceiving suffering. Taking participants through resilience and compassionate strategies to keep them strong while rendering services, he encouraged staff [nurses] to value self-care and to use available self-care activities that involve the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual etc. Nurses were charged to use all preventive measures to ensure that burnout does not hinder their work and their lives.

The conference witnessed presentations and panel discussions

In her keynote address, the SNS recognized the nurses for their patient care and reiterated the importance of self-care. She buttressed the importance of an environmentally friendly workspace and open communication with the Administration and colleagues, amongst other valuable virtues that promote a convivial and stress-free work-life space. The nurses are needed in all vibrance to protect the future of the profession, she noted.

The Nurses’ Conference was a forum where nurses who are at the forefront of health care delivery were given the opportunity to state the cause, consequences of burnout and provide innovative strategies that can be implemented at BHM and also serve as a best practice in other health structures.

The event was sponsored by Gima-Bambot Healthcare and Biopharcam Sarl, National partners of the CBC Health Services in Cameroon.
CBCHS EDID Program Manager Joins National Ministers to Assess Public Buildings for Disability Inclusion

In a dedicated effort to enhance accessibility for persons with disabilities, the Program Manager of the Empowerment and Disability Inclusive Development (EDID) More

Program at Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS) recently joined the Minister of Social Affairs and the Minister Delegate in charge of Public Contracts to assess public buildings in Yaoundé for disability inclusion.

The assessment included key buildings, such as the newly constructed National Assembly building, aiming to ensure they meet accessibility standards outlined in Cameroon’s Law No. 2010/002 on the protection and promotion of persons with disabilities. The 2010 law emphasizes that both public and private buildings accessible to the public must be designed to facilitate access and use for persons with disabilities.

This initiative follows the directives set by the Prime Minister's Circular of 2008, urging project managers to integrate accessibility into construction plans for public infrastructure. To support these efforts, the Ministry of Social Affairs, in collaboration with other government bodies and technical partners, developed a practical guide detailing accessibility measures for individuals with physical, auditory, and visual impairments.

The visit not only assessed compliance with these guidelines but also aimed to raise awareness among architects, project managers, and the general public about the critical need for inclusive infrastructure. The tour of buildings, including the new Parliament building in Ngoa-Ekélé and the Supreme Court under construction, the National Rehabilitation center, is part of the broader campaign to celebrate the 33rd edition of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (JIPH 2024).

The initiative underscores Cameroon’s commitment to social inclusion, aligning with global standards of accessibility and integration for all citizens, particularly those with disabilities. Through this campaign, government leaders and partners like CBCHS hope to foster a more inclusive society by ensuring that all public spaces are accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical abilities.
Stakeholders discuss New Inclusive Education Orientation in NW Region

A one-day meeting bringing together key education key stakeholders has taken place at the Nkwen Baptist Center Conference hall. More

The meeting took place on November 26, 2024 and brought together some Government, Local Council, Regional, Higher and confessional Education authorities, School Administrators and teachers, Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organizations, PTA representatives, Media, and Program Staff.

The meeting was aimed at getting these stakeholders share ideas, experiences, and strategies aimed at creating a new, more effective inclusive education strategy for the Northwest Region under a new initiative titled, “Promoting the Right to Education for Learners with Disabilities Project in the Northwest Region of Cameroon”.

Lead Facilitator Guiding discussions on inclusive education strategies

During the meeting, the CBC Health Services SEEPD Program Inclusive Education Advisor, Dr. Bridget Longla presented the SEEPD Program inclusive education strides in the Northwest Region. She said that CBC Health Services has worked tirelessly to improve the learning experience of students with disabilities by providing assistive devices, school fees, and teaching materials. She also disclosed that CBC Health Services has facilitated important infrastructural changes in some schools and advocated for inclusive examination practices, including the brailing of GCE exam questions for visually impaired candidates, and the provision of other reasonable accommodation measures to candidates with different impairments. The SEEPD Education Advisor noted that the gains of the above inputs have been among others increase enrolment of learners with disabilities in schools, increase participation of learners in classroom activities, and increase in success rates for learners with disabilities at end-of-course examinations.

Inclusive Education Advisor explaining gains of inclusive education

Despite these gains, there are still challenges to realizing inclusive education as desired, Dr. Longla pointed out. These challenges include limited support services and, infrastructural barriers, little community engagement in promoting inclusive education and teaching capacity.

Presenting the new project idea to the participants, Dr. Longla unveiled the overall objective of the new project initiative which is to promote inclusive education and ensure that all children, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities to learn and thrive, promoting equity and social justice. According to her, activities proposed for the initiative have been spread across 4 key areas including; improved teacher capacity and inclusive practices, community engagement and policy advocacy, accessible learning and teaching support materials and assistive technology and improved accessibility and infrastructure.

Stakeholders discussing improved inclusive education strategies

The above presentations were followed by a working session coordinated by Peter Mue, a Consultant and main facilitator during which participants in three groups discussed strategies to attain the above results. At the end of the session, the stakeholders recommended among others, continuous professional development, insertion of inclusive education into the curriculum, inclusion as criteria for selection of text books, infrastructural adjustments, documenting and sharing best practices for replication, advocacy, sensitization and awareness raising on the rights of learners with disabilities to education.

Closing the meeting, the Lead Facilitator thanked participants for their active involvement and brainstorming noting that recommendations which are realistic will be reflected in the new inclusive education project idea.

The SEEPD Program implements its inclusive education activities, thanks to funding from the CBM.
Celebrating Excellence: Graduation Ceremony for Hotel Management, Catering Services & Industrial Trainees at BVTC

A proud moment for the Baptist Vocational Training Centre as it celebrates a remarkable milestone More

– the graduation of its 5th batch of Hotel Management and Catering Services students and the 17th batch of Industrial Trainees. The event was graced by esteemed guests, including the Director of CBC Health Services, Mr. Ngum Samuel, and the Director of the school.

With great joy, we announce that the 31 graduates from the Hotel Management and Catering Services program have not only completed their rigorous training but achieved a 100% pass rate in their examinations, pending external assessments. This exceptional achievement reflects their hard work and dedication. These graduates, who entered the program with Ordinary Level and Advanced Level qualifications, specialized in various aspects of the hospitality industry, from hotel management to bar and restaurant operations.

DHS, Mr. Ngum Samuel encouraging the graduands

In addition, the Industrial Trainee graduation ceremony saw 14 candidates from various technical fields; 7 in Plumbing, 4 in Building and Electricity, 1 in Building and Construction, and 2 in Other Trades honored for their accomplishments. With 19 trainees currently in training and 21 students in Hotel Management expected to graduate soon, the future is bright for these emerging professionals.

The celebrations were enriched by heartfelt speeches from student representatives, who expressed their deep gratitude to the administration and faculty for their unwavering support and mentorship. Special thanks were also given to CBC Health Services for providing a platform for hands-on training.

TSD Administrator, Dr. Nyuonguo Kennethb appraising the BVTC

Dr. Kenneth Nyuonguo, Administraor of CBC Health Services’ Technical Services Department, took a moment to commend the graduates for their diligence and excellence, acknowledging the Hotel Management and Catering program’s inception in 2019 and the Industrial Training program’s launch in 2014. He urged the graduates to think beyond employment and aspire to become entrepreneurs and job creators. With hard work and continuous learning, they are poised to make their mark in the world.

Mr. Ngum Samuel, Director of CBC Health Services also shared words of inspiration. He encouraged the graduates to uphold professionalism as the cornerstone of their careers, stressing that exceptional service leads to customer loyalty and business success. Honesty, stewardship, and transparency were highlighted as values that will guide them in their professional journeys. Mr. Ngum reassured the graduates that their path to success has just begun, promising CBC Health Services' continued support as they forge ahead.

Joyful graduands

Graduands & TSD leadership

Congratulations to all the graduates! You are the future leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals who will shape industries and inspire generations to come. Keep pushing forward, embrace lifelong learning, and make your dreams a reality!

May 13 2020

Secretary of State Visits one of COVID-19 Testing Labs in the SWR

H.E Alim Hayatou, the Secretary of State to the Minister of Public Health in charge of the control of epidemics and pandemics made a brief stop at the National Early Infant Diagnosis Reference Laboratory (NEIDRL) in Mutengene. This was part of his visit to COVID-19 treatment units/centers and testing laboratories in the South West Region of Cameroon on May 7, 2020.

H.E Alim Hayatou came to see and ascertain the level of preparedness of the National Early Infant Diagnosis Reference Laboratory towards testing.

The Supervisor of the Lab, Mr. Masha Roland indicated the laboratory is ready for testing but for the unavailability of testing reagents for the Abbott Platform and Personal Protective Equipment. These needs were promised to be made available in 10 days owing to the stock the Ministry is expecting.

Worthy of note is the fact that NEIDRL is amongst the laboratories earmarked to test samples for COVID-19 in Cameroon with two of their staff being trained in April 2020 in Douala.

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Secretary of State Visits one of COVID-19 Testing Labs in the SWR

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