Professor Doh Anderson Sama, Director General, Yaounde Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital.

What security measures are being taken to protect patients and their belongings?

There are security agents that do the routine opening and closing of the gate as well as check those who come in and go out. We even have the services of gendarmes to reinforce security within the hospital. Chiefs of various units in the hospital also ensure the security of patients within the wards. We had another entrance into the hospital besides the main entrance. But we have closed that because of security reasons. There is also another entrance into the hospital that leads into the premises of our Chinese colleagues. However, there are security guards at that point. Internal security within the wards is difficult to control since people share rooms with others and one cannot really control people’s habits. But when a staff is accused of stealing, he/she is punished and can be transferred to a sector in the hospital where he/she will not have contact with patients. However, in spite of all these security measures; there are still cases of theft in the hospital.

It is said that there is a network of people involved in the stealing of babies from the hospital. What do you have to say about this?

It is only a few days ago that I heard about such a network. This is called wickedness or blackmail. I think a majority of honest Cameroonians will say this hospital is growing not only physically but also in reputation and performance. Such statements are wicked and I do not know why people go on with such stories. We have never had such an incident in this hospital. So what are we calling a network here?  I do not want to talk about the recent issue of the baby which is missing because it is already with the judiciary who is still carrying out investigations. It is said that the route which was used to steal the baby is that leading to the premises of our Chinese partners. The person, who is behind the theft of the baby, had studied the environment carefully and used it on a Saturday, saying it is a dead baby. I do not want to go into details on this issue because the case is still going on. The doctor newspapers are citing as that behind the disappearance of the baby do not even work here. The victim has never consulted in this hospital.

Has the hospital come to an understanding with the victim of the missing baby?

At the beginning, the situation looked very traumatic. You can imagine that the mother of the baby had a shock. But later on, it is like there are other intentions. I just want the justice to carry out their job properly. Of late, the hospital administration realised that the presence of the missing baby’s mother in the hospital is being used for other aims with the full participation of the victim’s family. I do not really know the intentions of the victim’s family. Right now, they are disturbing public peace but I want justice to take its course.