Yaounde: Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures is the theme for this year’s World Health Day, celebrated on April 7, highlighting the remarkable contributions of Cameroon’s largest private healthcare organization-the Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC) Health Services-and other denomination-based health services.
According to Cameroon News Agency, the CBC Health Services, along with the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) and the Catholic Church, have played a vital role in developing the healthcare landscape in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon. Since the establishment of Banso Baptist Hospital (BBH) in 1949, these organizations have been instrumental in saving millions of lives by providing essential medical care in areas with limited access to healthcare facilities.
Over the years, the CBC Health Services expanded its reach across all ten regions of Cameroon, acquiring facilities such as the Meskine Baptist Health Center in the Far North, formerly managed by the Lutheran Mission. This expansion has been crucial in delivering healthcare services nationwide, especially in regions where government healthcare initiatives have lagged.
The CBC and its sister denominations have created thousands of jobs, significantly contributing to the healthcare and economic sectors. Despite the ongoing Anglophone Crisis, which has affected many healthcare facilities, including patient turnout at BBH and Mbingo Baptist Hospital, the CBC has managed to sustain its operations through its presence in Francophone regions like Yaounde and Douala.
The CBC, PCC, and the Catholic Church have been at the forefront of various health campaigns, addressing issues such as HIV stigma, disability inclusion, infection prevention, and cancer education. Their collaborative efforts have positioned Cameroon as a leader in private healthcare in West Africa.
Additionally, the Catholic Church’s St. Elizabeth Catholic Hospital at Shisong, home to one of the best cardiac centers in the region, provides state-of-the-art cardiology services comparable to those found in North America and Europe.
Despite challenges such as the discontinuation of PEPFAR, which has affected thousands of HIV patients and CBC staff, these mission hospitals remain committed to offering life-saving services to communities across Cameroon. Their dedication continues to fill the void left by underfunded government hospitals, ensuring that healthcare remains accessible to all, regardless of financial circumstances.