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!!!
Gospel of Christ Ministry partners with SEEPD Program to donate School Materials to Children with Disabilities

Bamenda based Gospel of Christ Ministry has expressed Christ's love through the donation of back to school needs to some children with disabilities as a way to support their return More

to school for the 2022\2023 academic year. The school items made up of school bags, books, pens, and pencils were given to the beneficiaries recently at the Baptist Center Nkwen. The event was attended by the SEEPD Program Manager, Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Supervisor, and the CBR field worker for Mezam.

Pastor Derrick Akum who represented the General Overseer of the Ministry, said it is the objective of the Ministry not only preach the gospel, but also to demonstrate Christ's love by meeting the needs of the less privileged in the community. He underlined that the CBCHS through its CBR program was the channel through which the beneficiaries were identified. He added that they could only depend on the CBCHS’ experiences in working with persons with disability to be able to reach out to the children. Pastor Derrick expressed gratitude for the work that the CBCHS is doing to promote inclusion. He added that it is a beginning of a long-term partnership between his Ministry and the CBCHS to foster inclusion in their own way.

CBR supervisor handing school bag to a child with disability

Overwhelmed by the gesture of the Ministry, the SEEPD Program Manager, Awa Jacques Chirac joined his voice to that of the CBR Supervisor, Kenchi Joseph to appreciate the donor for such a laudable gesture. Mr. Awa Chirac expressed that it is the right action in the right direction which was very timely as it will go a long way to support the parents in their back-to-school preparations. He noted that inclusion always begins with the little steps which seek to ensure that everyone is brought on board.

While handing the items to the beneficiaries, Pastor Derrick, Mr. Awa, and Mr. kenchi called on the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items by ensuring that they add value to their educational life. They encouraged the parents to see the potential in their children and support them appropriately.

Speaking to some beneficiaries at the close of the ceremony, they expressed gratitude to the Ministry which they describe as "Good Samaritans”. They noted that it feels relieving to know that someone cares about their needs. Like Oliver twist, they pleaded that such gesture is consistent to support them and give their children with disability a desirable life.
CBM Cameroon Country Office visits CBCHS; Appraises Project Activity Implementation

The CBM Cameroon Country team has paid a 4-day Monitoring and Evaluation visit to the Socio-Economic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SEEPD) Program of the CBC More

Health Services. The recent visit recent aimed at evaluating the progress of activities of five CBM funded projects within the CBC Health Services. The visiting team was made up of the CBM Program Officer, Tem Damian, Community Based Inclusive Development Officer, Mispa Tebon, Disability and Inclusion Officer, Barbara Ngeah Achwe and CBM Interim Country Finance Manager, Roland Ndekeh Kiffa.

The CBM team upon arrival in the CBC Health Services, was welcomed by the Deputy Director of Administration and Finance Mr. Warri Denis, who congratulated CBM for being a long-standing funding partner of the CBC Health Services over the years. He expressed that as a partner of CBM, CBC Health Services values the partnership and is committed to meeting CBM expectations.

Nkwen Baptist Hospital Administrator receives CBM Cameroon team

Given that the Nkwen Baptist Hospital (NBH) is one of the hospitals implementing several CBM projects, the visiting team made a stop at the hospital and were welcomed by the Hospital Administrator, Mr. Kongong Joyce who expressed appreciation to CBM for making the NBH one of its beneficiaries through the Eye Care, Ear Nose and Throat, and Clubfoot services. The Hospital Administrator acknowledged CBM for funding that has enabled the hospital acquire state of the art equipment to provide quality services in these sub-specialties of health care delivery. He noted that CBM also funded the remodeling of some sections of the hospital to improve access to services for people with disabilities and promoting inclusion.

As part of its strategies to promote inclusion, the Administrator noted that the hospital has recruited a sign language interpreter to ensure that patients with hearing impairment access health care with limited barriers. To this effect, the Sign language Interpreter disclosed that there has been increased access to health care for patients with hearing impairment in the hospital, thanks to the availability of the sign language services it offers. Pregnant women with hearing impairment now have the opportunity to benefit from educative talks given that sign language is done during ANC days.

In organized work sessions between the project coordination team of the CBM projects and the visiting team, the SEEPD Program Manager, Awa Jacques Chirac highlighted that it is always an exciting time for the coordination team to receive the CBM CO team on M&E visits. He described their visit as a learning opportunity for the coordination team and the implementing partners.

CBM Cameroon team assesses donated equipment in some departments at Nkwen Baptist Hospital

During the working sessions, the project coordinators of the Community Based Inclusive Development, Inclusive Eye Health, Ear and Hearing Care, Cameroon Clubfoot Care, and the Disability Inclusive Humanitarian Projects presented the progress of activities implementation, implementation strategies for pending activities, challenges, and ways forward. The CBM team also had sessions with the Coordinating Unit of the Association for Persons with Disabilities to assess and understand their level of involvement in project activities.

At the end of the visit, the CBM team members expressed appreciation to the CBC Health Services team and its partners for the effective implementation of activities and the success recorded so far. After listening to the presentations, they made recommendations in different areas of each project for further improvement.
BBH grabs Takum Holiday Championship Trophy

Banso Baptist Hospital’s Football Club (FC) has emerged victors of 2022 Takum Summer Tournament by vanquishing Deux Zero of Kikaikelaki FC by 2 goals to 1 at the finals of the More

championship on Sunday September 18, 2022.

Wirngo Amos, our BBH based correspondent says the highly animated tournament started in August 2022 with 10 teams with BBH classified as the under dogs. As the competition progressed to the knockout stage, BBH aced their game plan and became favorites, winning the hearts of supporters with their spectacular play style and high- level discipline.

During the electrifying finals, Lassin Frankline, Captain for BBH sent the ball to the back of the net of their opponents twice to lift the trophy to the evening skies of Ntumbaw.

Presenting the coveted trophy to the staff body in the Chapel on Monday September 19, 2022, Chia Bernard, President of BBH FC appreciated the entire staff for supporting the team materially, financially and spiritually. “Another competition has been launched at PS Kumbo, we are going to bring it here.” Bernard said.

Mr. Lassin, boasted that the CBC DHS (Director of Health Services) Cup will follow suit. “Our trip to Bamenda in the months ahead is to make BBH proud again, we will keep the flame burning and the flag flying higher and higher,” the team captain remarked.

Receiving the trophy, Jean Sama, Administrator for BBH praised the players for showing compassion and resilience at difficult times in the life of BBH and the entire Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC) Health Services.

BBH Administrator pose with jubilant footbal team

“This trophy is worth celebrating because it has proven to the world that compassionate care is not only practiced in the wards; everywhere you go, everything you do, let compassionate care be seen in you and with you,” said the elated BBH Administrator. He called on all the staff to support the team. “On behalf of my family, we are supporting this cup with 20000frs. Am urging all staff through their heads of department to support this achievement, let us consciously unite our efforts to keep the BBH flag flying high”. he said.

It is worth noting that BBH produced the best player of the tournament, man of the match, best goalkeeper and the most disciplined team.
DIHA Project equips PWDs to participate in Advocacy for Inclusion in Humanitarian Response

The capacities of some 38 persons with disabilities (PWDs) who are divisional and sub divisional leaders of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) have been refreshed More

on effective policy work and advocacy strategies. This was during a workshop organized by the Disability Inclusive Humanitarian Action (DIHA) Project in collaboration with the Coordinating Unit of the Associations of Persons with Disabilities (CUAPWD) for the North West Region at the St Joseph’s House Hall Cathedral from August 24 – 25, 2022.

DIHA Project Coordinator emphasizing the importance of advocacy for disability inclusion at workshop

DIHA Project Coordinator, Asheri Ngah said, the expected outcome of the workshop was for the OPD leaders to reinforce advocacy targeting humanitarian organisations based on humanitarian and disability inclusion guiding principles.

The workshop came six months after the initial one and for two days, the participants received more knowledge on the rights of Persons with Disabilities in crisis situation according to the United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities (UNCRPD), Advocacy purpose, strategies for use in the humanitarian context, appropriate communication in Advocacy, and referral in gender and safeguarding in Advocacy. They also reviewed the DIHA Project activities and the OPD structure and its functioning. Some DIHA and CUAPWD staff facilitated the sessions.

Emphasis during the workshop was laid on identification and mapping of humanitarian organisations in communities as well as developing good content for advocacy for their inclusion in their communities. They were also told that to advocate effectively they should have good mastery of their subject matter and communicate assertively with clarity and enthusiasm.

CUAPWD Coordinator describing the CUAPWD structure and functioning

Speaking at the end of the workshop, the Cameroon Clubfoot Project Coordinator, Mr. Tamon James on behalf of the Coordinator of the CBCHS Services for Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Awa Jacques Chirac, told the participants to go back and put knowledge gained into practice such that the impact of their advocacy efforts should be felt and appreciated at the level of the office. He told the participants that the wish of the Project is for them to share successes recorded, thanks to this training when next they are called up for a training.

After the initial training in February 2022, the participants developed action plans to carry out advocacy for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitarian in their interventions. As a follow up, participants during the workshop shared best practices and challenges they faced while carrying their actions plans followed by discussions on ways forward.

At the end of the workshop, some participants expressed their satisfaction saying that knowledge gained will be used to advocate for their inclusion in humanitarian actions in their communities.

Tabitha Bongyuy Mformi is the CUAPWD Chairperson for Donga Mantung. She said she always had difficulties facing humanitarian actors but with the knowledge gained during the workshop, she is going back to approach them with confidence.

Nelson Nyuyebga, CUAPWD Chairperson for Mezam said, with improved skills, he was going to carry out effective advocacy by targeting local, national and international humanitarian organisations for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitarian response.

The DIHA Project is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office through CBM with the CBC Health Services being the main implementing partner.