The stake is now to see that the over FCFA 20 billion buried in constructing and equipping the SRH does not waste in poor maintenance.

Technology, scientists say, is time dependent. As it changes, with regard, to hospitals, so do maintenance requirements. With many developments coming to light every day, health care facilities must be prepared to accommodate whatever the future holds. This message seems to have fallen on responsive ears as the management of the Sangmelima Referral Hospital, SRH, in the Dja and Lobo Division of the South Region, swear not to sway into the poor maintenance syndrome that is rocking the country’s infrastructure.  

The building is glittering like any newly constructed and equipped structure. The facility management is therefore daunting. The health structure stands conspicuously in the heart of the hitherto fores, in Bitom, host of inhabitants of the area. The hospital’s impressive access roads, lawns, fence, foot paths, recreational facilities, complex mechanical and electric systems and equipment installations, leave no passers-by, visitor and patient unmoved.  Even staff of the hospital have recognised that the hospital building and equipment is not like any other hospital and thus deserves optimal care.

The Director of the Sangmelima Referral Hospital, Dr Joseph Alou’ou Ze affirmed that the poor maintenance syndrome of Cameroon has led to the fast depreciation of some structures that have costs government billions of FCFA. The SRH is not ready to copy the bad example. Dr Alou Ze revealed that proposals have been made by the management committee for a special allocation of funds for maintenance. The hospital building and equipment are still benefitting a period of grace with the test period to last three years.

Painting alone amounts to over FCFA 20 million and Dr Alou’ou believes that care must be taken when one imagines that it might have to be refurbished every two years. The equipment is sophisticated with technology at its best, giving no room for work errors that can easily lead to breakdown. The hospital intends to purchase an IRM Imaging equipment that will complete scanning exercises. The Director explained that their wish was to embrace new technology in endoscopic surgery “We are also negotiating with the management committee on how possible we can buy last generation equipment for endoscopic surgical treatment.” 

The hospital has recruited cleaners for daily cleanup but is seeking to subscribe with cleanup companies for better services. To justify the cleanliness of the hospital premises, Alex Fred Manga Ndgaba, Chief of Service in charge of Legal Affairs and Litigation revealed that the first clean up exercises are carried out before 7 am and by midday, the cleaners make a second round and the third and last for the day takes place by 4 pm with standby services scheduled. “Nurses are there to cleanup all bedbound patients,” disclosed Alex Fred Manga Ndgaba. 

The hospital has acquired special waste management equipment that transforms human anatomical waste, microbiology and biotechnology waste, sharp objects, medicines and cytotoxic drugs, solid waste and liquid waste to paste which is then sterilized and can easily be carted to landfills. The hospital is designing strategies for possible partnership with the country’s waste management company, HYSACAM for the efficient hospital waste disposal. The council has promised the hospital another machine of the waste disposal chain.