As the Anglophone Crisis Persist, Health Institutions Shutdown in the North West Region

cross section of participants

Health institutions have come under plenty of attack in the North West Region of Cameroon as the Anglophone crisis worsens. Some district hospitals have been forced to shutdown while others are partially operating

In the Batibo, Njikwa, Fundong, Mbengwi and Oku Health districts where the crisis has reached unprecedented heights, health structures are partially operating while others have been forced to shutdown with soldiers intimidating health workers not to render care to separatist fighters

In the Batibo district hospital, soldiers have made away with about 20 mattresses while seven health facilities are totally shutdown. In Njikwa, the homes of the Director of the integrated hospital and Nurses was broken into and items made away. The hospital also lost vital equipments and only the Ultrasound Machine has been recovered

In the Fundong Health district, one hospital is completely shutdown and in Bawuru in the Benakuma Health District, roads leading to health facilities have been completely blocked

Participants molding strategies

These revelations were made at a meeting to evaluate the health care delivery situation in the North West during the ongoing crisis

Some District medical officers have also fled away from their areas with increasing threats from soldiers who have also intercepted drugs destined for areas in the hinterlands

The North West Regional Fund for Health Promotion risk losing 62 Million Francs, money that cannot be accounted for. Drugs have expired in hospital pharmacies, while others have been abandoned by fleeing Chemist. Areas like Menchum Division are running out of stock since roads leading to the Division were blocked

Dr Tayong Gladys, NW Regional Coordinator for the fight Against AIDS, intimates that about 1500 patients who are on anti retro-viral therapy cannot be accounted for. As at July 2018, 36,000 patients were actually receiving the treatment across the region instead of an estimated 37,500

With the dust to dawn curfew in the Region, it is difficult to transport patients during curfew hours. The lone Ambulance at the Bamenda Regional Hospital came under attack, one nurse hurt and service suspended during curfew hours

Carmeu Terradillos, is leading a cream of Experts  who are in the Region from Doctors without Borders and in the weeks ahead, will put at the disposal of the hospital more Ambulances. The team says it cannot extend it's services to the rest of the region as at now because of the growing insecurity

Carmeu Terradillos from Doctors without Borders

Chairing the deliberations, North West Regional Delegate for Public Health, Dr Kingsley Che Soh expressed the which to see the Health facilities that have been shutdown reopen. He encouraged the District Medical Officers to work closely with the Directors of the hospitals to ensure that quality health care is delivered especially in times like this. A series of recommendations were also adopted


Health facilities are protected by the International Humanitarian LAW

By Ndi Tsembom Elvis