The Circle of Friends of Cameroon, CERAC, Women made a guided tour of the facility that brings new hope in healthcare.

People of Nanga Eboko, in particular, and Upper Sanaga Division of the Centre Region, in general, turned out massively last Saturday December 8, 2012, with songs of praise to First Lady Mrs Chantal Biya, for refurbishing the local Health Centre.

The refurbished 45-year old dispensary situated in the premises of the “Notre Dame de Merci” Parish in the Nguinda neighbourhood of Nanga Eboko, some 200km north of Yaounde, was solemnly reopened by the First Lady’s personal representative, Mrs Jacqueline Koung à Bessike, at the head of a delegation of Circle of Friends of Cameroon, CERAC.

In a guided tour that followed the blessing by Catholic authorities and unveiling of the plaque, the head of the Health Centre, Dr Ngo Makang Cécile Marguérite showed to the eager CERAC delegation members, the reception and consultation room, an eight-bed maternity ward, a modern laboratory, a labour room, general and private hospitalisation rooms, toilets and a modern kitchen. The health centre whose refurbishment cost tens of millions FCFA also received medical equipment from CERAC.

Speaking earlier during the occasion, Mrs Jacqueline Koung à Bessike, also Vice President of CERAC and Minister of Surveys, Land Tenure and State Property, said the First Lady’s decision to rehabilitate the health centre in her hometown, followed a cry by the local population for improved health services as existing health structures were running old. “This gesture by the First Lady through CERAC in Nguinda and Upper Sanaga has as final objective to improve the living standards of families,” she emphasised and called on other persons to emulate the example of Mrs Chantal Biya and her laudable initiatives undertaken as one of UNESCO’s Ambassadors of Goodwill.

Addressing the huge crowd that turned out to witness the event, the Mayor of Nanga Eboko, Romain Roland Eto, justified the timeliness of the rehabilitation of the health centre and expressed hope that health authorities will implement measures to refurbish public hospitals. On his part, the local traditional chief, HRH Ndeng Denis, cautioned the health centre’s personnel to shun malpractices existing elsewhere such as absenteeism of nurses and doctors, illegal sale of medication and rudeness of staff, among others. The Parish Priest of “Notre Dame de Merci”, Reverend Father Sylvestre Olivier Eves promised the good use and maintenance of the refurbished centre which saw its last paint 27 years ago.

During the occasion, the CERAC delegation also handed farm tools, inputs and improved seedlings as well as computers and chicks to associations of rural women and youths of the Upper Sanaga Division.

The ceremony that was rich in traditional and modern music by several guest performers was also attended by several cabinet ministers.