On unannounced visit to hospitals: Minister salutes staff resilience, ‘frees’ bankrupt patients.

According to the minister, the surprise tour, conducted without prior notice, formed part of his strategy to assess services as they operate in real time, engage directly with frontline staff and continuously improve the quality of healthcare delivery.

The minister’s first stop was the Ottou Polyclinic, where he met a predominantly young medical and paramedical staff. 

Addressing them, Dr Manaouda delivered a message centered on humility, proximity and professional responsibility.

“I am not above you; I am with you. But we have a duty to strive for excellence,” he told the staff, reminding them that the essence of their vocation lies in offering dignified, compassionate and professional care to patients.

He equally paid special tribute to the neonatology team, commending their dedication to newborns, who remain among the most vulnerable patients. 

Encouraging perseverance and discipline, the minister expressed confidence that sustained commitment and ethical practice would shape the healthcare leaders of tomorrow.

The tour continued at the Yaounde Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, HGOPY, where the minister once again engaged directly with health personnel on duty. 

He reassured them of his solidarity and support, while insisting on the need for rigor, discipline and respect for professional standards.

Dr Manaouda equally emphasized on the importance of aligning daily practice with the high directives of the Head of State, aimed at guaranteeing quality, accessible, and humane healthcare. 

He underscored that women and children, who constitute the core clientele of HGOPY, deserve special attention and care.

Bankrupt patients ‘freed’

One of the major highlights of the minister’s visit was his interaction with patients ‘detained’ due to unpaid hospital bills. 

Touched by the distress of several families, Dr Manaouda ordered the immediate release of all bankrupt patients.

The minister during his tour met with an obstetric case involving a young couple who lost their sextuplets following a delayed referral. 

The infants, each weighing less than 300 grams, did not survive. Moved by their story, the minister instructed that the mother receive free and comprehensive medical care during her stay in this hospital.

The member of government and his entourage ended their tour at the Yaounde Emergency Centre, CURY, where he assessed emergency response services and exchanged with healthcare teams. 

Minister Manaouda at every stop reiterated his determination to build a healthcare system that places people at its centre, one that combines professional competence with social justice and prioritiaes the well-being of patients, especially the most vulnerable.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3662 of Wednesday December 31, 2025