Unite for Health Foundation wins NGO of The Year Award.

The organisation founded by United States-based Cameroonian health expert, Ndansi Elvis Nukam, was amongst laureates at the recently held Cameroon English Language Newspaper Publishers Association, CENPA, award ceremony.

The health body which has been at the fore of helping pregnant women, mothers and young children in underserved communities, was handed the prestigious award of “Most People-Driven NGO of The Year”.

It was Elvis Mbi, a member of the Unite for Health Foundation communication team who received the award on behalf of the organisation.

The award ceremony held at the Yaounde Hilton Hotel Thursday July 25, was chaired by the Secretary General at the Ministry of Communication, Prof Felix Zogo who represented his boss, Minister Emmanuel Rene Sadi.

The ceremony was attended by several government ministers including that of Posts and Telecommunications, Minette Libom Li Likeng, the Minister Delegate at the Ministry of External Relations in charge of cooperation with the Commonwealth, Felix Mbayu amongst other.

The award jury headed by celebrated lawyer of international repute, Barrister Akere Muna said, Unite for Health Foundation was singled out: “For ceaselessly staging groundbreaking community outreach programmes in the interest of women, children, the vulnerable and people trapped in difficult terrains and offering social services that have turned around the lives of thousands for good”.

Tracing community impact

The July 25 award from CENPA, didn’t come much as a surprise, at least to those who have been tracking the activities of Unite for Health Foundation.

From a humble start in 2007, Unite for Health Foundation, has since positioned itself as a frontline health charity organisation. The activities of the body have reached thousands of beneficiaries in the North West Region and beyond.

In a world ravaged by poverty, injustice and inequality, organisations like Unite for Health shine brightly as beacons of hope. 

The organisation’s unwavering commitment to serving the less fortunate and promoting human development has truly unveiled the essence of compassion.

The organisation with a committed team of workers, has been dedicated to alleviating poverty and providing healthcare to persons in need especially women and girls. 

Unite for Health has been working tirelessly to uplift the most vulnerable communities in the country.

Unite for Health Foundation strongly believes in the transformative power of livelihoods. 

By empowering individuals and communities to generate income, the organisation, has helped in breaking the cycle of poverty.

Through its health programmes which strive to improve access to quality healthcare services for all, the organisation has constantly offered support to pregnant women and girls

In March this year and as part of activities to commemorate International Women’s Day, the group staged a groundbreaking health campaign in the town of Misaje, Donga Mantung Division of the North West Region.

The two-day massive health campaign culminated March 7 at the Misaje District Hospital with over 200 women and girls returning home with post-delivery kits and other gifts.

The women were during the campaign also offered free antenatal consultations as well as echography tests for pregnant women. 

It was the first time such a health campaign was being staged in the area. The campaign focused on critical issues of maternal and child health in Misaje Health District. 

The foundation in a nutshell 

Unite for Health Foundation, it should be said, is a healthcare nonprofit organisation with a big mission to help pregnant women, mothers and young children in rural, underserved communities in Cameroon. 

Founded in Cameroon in 2007, the United States-based organisation was midwifed to facilitate access to adequate healthcare by women in rural communities.

Unite for Health has reached out in different ways to bring medical treatments, screenings, and health education to women who need it the most – because the organisation believes that a healthier, more equitable world starts with healthcare for women and children.

In collaboration with Bronco Power Boost and Internetbar.org, the group had distributed medical and solar power kits to five families in Oku in the North West Region.

With the understanding that every child has the right to a safe, medically supervised delivery, Unite for Health has never turned away a pregnant woman from its clinics for not being able to pay. 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3186 of Thursday August 01, 2024