The CBC Health Services (CBCHS) and the Reconciliation and Development Association (RADA) have officially entered a strategic partnership dedicated to fighting Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). This collaboration marks a significant milestone in a joint mission to reduce the burden of NCDs and empower communities to take charge of their health.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Director of CBCHS (DHS), Mr. Ngum Samuel, and the President/CEO of RADA, Mr. Ferdinand M. Sonyuy, in an alliance built on the foundation of SDG 17, recognizing that no single organization can tackle today’s healthcare challenges alone.
During the signing ceremony, the DHS, Mr. Ngum Samuel noted that “Nobody has it all, and nobody can do it all”. He emphasized that by combining efforts, the organizations can bridge the gap in healthcare delivery and ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against chronic diseases. This partnership is intended to foster collaborative work between CBCHS and RADA, as both are actively involved in NCD prevention and treatment. By creating a synergy of efforts, they aim to strengthen healthcare and develop resilient systems that help patients and communities combat these diseases.
“Given that health inequalities remain at a heightened level and as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 3, such partnerships will build institutional capacity and open new possibilities for funding to handle the NCD burden,” the Director hinged. Ultimately, the partnership aims at moving toward Universal Health Coverage by bringing essential care directly into the homes of those who need it most.
Mr. Ferdinand M. Sonyuy, who also serves as the Secretary General of the Cameroon NCD Alliance, highlighted that NCDs are no longer just a looming threat, but an urgent concern shaping mortality rates. He described the new union as symbolic, strategic, and in God’s will. As a one-time Program Manager of the NCD Program at CBC Health Services, Mr. Sonyuy used the occasion to appreciate the NCD team for their passion and hard work in keeping the flames burning. He noted that RADA is honored to partner with CBCHS and believes this partnership will blossom through community support, which is essential to boosting the national response to NCD prevention and control.
The strategic partnership agreement was presented to those in attendance by Mr. Achataseh Godwill, the Executive Officer for Operations and Development for the CBC Health Services and will run until December 30, 2027.
In his capacity as the Secretary General of the Cameroon NCD Alliance, a coalition of Civil Society Organizations working in synergy with the Global NCD Alliance and the African NCD Network, Mr. Sonyuy urged these leaders to provide their NCD focal persons with the necessary institutional backing, clear mandates, and leadership they need to thrive in the alliance. With CBCHS being a member of the Alliance, he delivered a message of encouragement, urging members to prioritize NCD voices within their organizations, a message he intends to carry to all 17 members of the Alliance to ensure effective coordinated actions nationwide.
