Yaounde Central Hospital: Minister awards staff for quality, integrity in service.

The award ceremony held at the esplanade of the hospital and brought together health professionals and government officials.

Dr Manaouda Malachie was accompanied by the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Grégoire Owona and the Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reform, Joseph Le. He saluted the medical staff for their integrity and quality in service.

During the solemn ceremony, doctors, nurses, midwives, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, as well as administrative and support staff were honoured for their dedication, professionalism and sustained commitment to patient care, often under demanding working conditions.

In his address, Dr Manaouda stressed that the ceremony went beyond formal tradition, describing it as a strong act of national recognition. According to the minister, the effectiveness of the country’s health system rests primarily on the human value, ethics and sense of responsibility of those who serve within it. 

He urged hospital staff to remain steadfast in their mission, despite the challenges inherent in the profession. The Minister of Public Health outlined three guiding principles as compass for hospital action viz; service, quality and integrity. 

Dr Manaouda called on health workers to embrace the pillars as daily standards. He noted that they are essential to restoring public confidence and improving the overall performance of healthcare institutions.

The labour medals, he explained, were recognitions far more than longevity in service. He noted that they embody years of sacrifice, sleepless nights, emergencies handled with discretion, lives saved, and unwavering loyalty to professional ethics. 

Recipients were presented as role models and ambassadors of excellence, whose conduct should inspire younger generations within the healthcare system.

Dr Manaouda also commended the reforms underway at Yaounde Central Hospital under the leadership of its Director, Prof Ongolo Zogo.

He cited improved governance, enhanced quality of care and a gradual rebuilding of trust between the institution and service users. 

The minister encouraged the continuation of structural reforms, modernisation of technical facilities and sustained promotion of merit-based management.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3664 of Monday January 05, 2025