Ngoketunjia Division: CBCHS, Babungo community sign MoU to upgrade, improve healthcare.

The significant event took place Friday, September 27, at the CBCHS headquarters in Bamenda. Signing on behalf of CBCHS was the Director, Samuel Ngum, and on behalf of the Babungo community was the traditional ruler, HRM Fon Ndofoa Zofoa III.

During the signing ceremony, which brought together some members of the Babungo community, a cheque of 50,000,000 FCFA was handed over to the Director of the CBCHS. 

The money was raised by sons and daughters of the Babungo community, through the village development association, Vengo Mbe Ndee Development and Cultural Association, VEMNCUDA, and Vengo Development Cultural Association, VeDCA-USA.

Speaking during the ceremony, Fon Ndofoa Zofoa III revealed that the money, with more is still to be contributed, will finance the construction of a theatre, surgical block and doctor's residence at the Finkwi Baptist health centre in Babungo village.

Fon Ndofoa Zofoa III added that the project, which will be carried out by the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, will upgrade the health centre into a full-fledged hospital, which will be referred to as Vengo Baptist Hospital.

Objectives of project 

The project will help to improve on the quality and scope of healthcare services in Babungo village and its environs, and fight against mobility and mortality in the village. It will also contribute to building a robust, vibrant and healthy community, thereby contributing to community development.

While calling on his people to continue living together and work for the development of their community. Fon Ndofoa added that the project will help the population who have been traveling long distances to seek medical care out of the village.

"My people drive for so many kilometres to seek for good health. At times we have road blocks and people die on a daily basis. So, we decided that instead of continuing to suffer and going to other communities to seek for health, let us be self-reliant and invite the Baptist to provide us with health facilities," Fon Ndofoa said.

On his part, the Director of CBCHS, Samuel Ngum, described the MoU as a laudable one, calling on the people of Babungo to accept the project as theirs.

"It's a laudable initiative. We really want community engagement and participation. CBC can't do it alone. It is always with the help of the community, because they are the owners. We will never carry away the structure from Babungo," Ngum said.

The 15-month project, which is expected to kick-start in October 2024, is expected to be completed by January 2026.

The CBCHS will prepare the architectural design, obtain permits and licenses and also manage the recruitment of personnel and human resources. 

Meanwhile, the Babungo community will provide land, labour and financial resources for the execution of the project.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3246 of Tuesday October 01, 2024