Upper Sanaga division: NHPC donates furnished radiology centre worth over 25M FCFA to Mbandjock hospital.

The radiology building erected at the Mbandjock District Hospital was handed over to the hospital authorities on Wednesday November 19. 

The ceremony was chaired on behalf of the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, of Upper Sanaga, by the Divisional Officer, DO, of Mbandjock, Mpande Emile Achille. Municipal and traditional authorities as well as medical personnel of the Mbandjock hospital attended the ceremony. 

While handing over the radiology building, the Managing Director of NHPC, Claire Gall, said the initiative which is part of the implementation of NHPC's Environmental and Social Management Plan, demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting local development in the area where the Nachtigal hydroelectric power plant is located.

According to Claire Gall, the move, which is the very first of its kind in Upper-Sanaga, marks an important step in improving healthcare provision in the area. 

“Entirely built and equipped by NHPC, this building includes, among other things, a multifunctional radiology table, analogue radiology equipment, a developer and, of course, protective equipment for staff, such as a mobile screen and lead workbenches,” Gall said. 

She also mentioned that thanks to the centre, patients will now be able to benefit from faster and more accurate diagnoses without having to travel long distances to access suitable technical facilities. 

“I believe it will be an essential support for medical staff, who will be able to respond better to emergencies and improve the quality of patient care,” she added. 

Hoping that the radiology centre will contribute to improving the health and well-being of the populations of Mbandjock and environs, the NHPC Managing Director assured that this initiative is the result of a close consultation with local authorities, communities and health personnel.  

NHPC's commitment to surrounding communities

Claire Gall also used the opportunity to reaffirms NHPC's commitment to supporting the people and communities in the Nachtigal project area and to ensuring that they can make a lasting contribution to improving their living conditions, in particular through access to quality healthcare.

It is worth mentioning that since 2020, NHPC has been actively working to build the capacity of multi-skilled community health workers, with more than 200 workers already trained in Mbandjock, particularly in the management of epidemiological diseases in health facilities in the project area, including this hospital.

In 2021, NHPC continued its commitment by supplying modern medical equipment to improve the quality of care, accessibility and working conditions for staff. 

The company, in 2022, also contributed to the fight against COVID-19 by providing this facility with disinfection and personal protective equipment. 

Enter Hospital Director

In his speech, the Direct of the Mbandjock District Hospital, Dr Owono Jules Ghislain said expressed gratitude to the NHPC administration for the radiology centre.

He explained that the hospital, classified as a fourth category facility, serves a population of approximately 60,000 people with several essential services rendered.

So far in 2025, he said the hospital has received some 3,604 patients, performed 115 surgeries and 891 ultrasounds, and requested over 100 radiology examinations that were previously referred to Yaoundé and Obala. 

“...starting from today, these X-rays will be performed in the town of Mbandjock thanks to the NHPC, to whom we reiterate our sincere thanks,” Dr Owono said. 

He pointed that the provision of radiology services marks a major step forward in improving its healthcare offering as X-ray examinations, which are essential for diagnosis and the proper treatment of many diseases, will be carried out at the hospital. 

“This will significantly reduce the number of evacuations and the costs incurred by the population,” he insisted, pointed out that patients will be spared of long journeys. 

Demands for more support

While thanking the NHPC boss, the hospital director revealed that the hospital is still in dire needs of other equipment and facilities. 

He explained that the hospital and Mbandjock health district still need additional equipment, including an autonomous power source to enable the radiology unit to be used when the power supply ceases. 

Other needs, he said, include but not limited to a medical ambulance, the construction and equipping of a modern operating theatre, the construction of a modern, fully equipped laboratory, a complete pharmacy building and a fence to ensure the safety of patients, personnels and hospital facilities. 

“We hope that these donations will be the beginning of broader support for a strengthened technical platform that meets the expectations of our people, in line with the ideals of our President of the Republic, Paul Biya,” he mentioned.

As a reminder, the Nachtigal hydroelectric power plant has an installed capacity of 420 MW, representing approximately 30% of Cameroon's electricity needs. It was fully commissioned in May 2025 and had a cumulative production of more than 2 TWh at the end of September 2025. 

With its green, available and competitive electricity, Nachtigal is now one of the main actors in Cameroon's electricity system and contributes to the country's sustainable development.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3632 of Friday November 21, 2025