In the heart of the Santa Health District, a powerful wave of hope and healing swept through the community as the Achidi Achu Foundation launched a large-scale, free health campaign. For several days, the district hospital became a hub of activity, care, and compassion, drawing hundreds of people from surrounding villages, including internally displaced families, pregnant women, children, youth, and the elderly, all in need of medical attention they could rarely afford.
From the early morning hours, long queues formed as patients gathered patiently under large white tents set up in the hospital courtyard. Some had walked for hours. Others had come with children on their backs or elderly relatives in tow. Despite the fatigue, there was a sense of anticipation, and for many, a quiet joy.
“I walked from Akum with my two children. It’s the first time I’ve ever received medical care for free. I thank God and the Achidi Foundation,” said one young mother, her voice filled with emotion.
Inside the consultation rooms, general practitioners and medical specialists worked side by side to treat a wide range of conditions. Each patient was received with kindness and attention, no one was turned away. The gynecology and antenatal units were especially busy, as midwives gently examined expectant mothers, offering personalized care and handing out safe delivery kits to support healthy births.
Meanwhile, a makeshift dental clinic buzzed with activity. Children and adults alike received tooth extractions, cleanings, and emergency dental care. Just a few steps away, the eye care team helped patients rediscover clarity, fitting reading glasses and diagnosing long-ignored conditions.
Under a large canopy, groups of young people gathered for health education sessions, learning about hygiene, nutrition, sexual health, and disease prevention. Mobile testing units provided voluntary screenings for HIV, blood pressure, and diabetes in a respectful, confidential setting.
“We’re not just here to treat illness ,we’re here to inform, empower, and prevent,” explained Dr. Tchoua, one of the campaign’s lead coordinators.
The campaign also went beyond basic care. Minor surgeries , such as the removal of cysts, abscess drainage, and circumcisions — were carried out on-site. In more complex cases, major surgical interventions, including Cesarean sections (CS) and other essential procedures, were successfully performed by qualified surgical teams, offering lifesaving care that would otherwise be out of reach for most.
A critical player in the success of this campaign was ASCOVINE (Association of Community Volunteer Nurses and Experts) a dedicated network of healthcare professionals who worked tirelessly to implement the activities. From patient registration to surgery, post-operative care, counseling, and logistics, ASCOVINE’s professionalism and humanitarian spirit were at the heart of the entire operation.
“We are proud to have served. Our goal is to bring health services to those who need them most, no matter where they are,” said an ASCOVINE nurse on site.
Special care was also extended to internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of whom live in extremely vulnerable conditions with little or no access to health services. The foundation ensured they were treated with dignity, compassion, and priority access.
“In many places, we are forgotten. But here, we were seen, heard, and helped,” shared one man, a displaced father who has lived in Santa for over two years.
Day after day, the atmosphere grew warmer. The laughter of children mingled with the sounds of nurses calling patients. Smiles were everywhere, not just on the faces of the people receiving care, but also among the healthcare workers delivering it. There was a shared sense that something extraordinary was taking place.
The Achidi Achu Foundation, together with its partners and the committed professionals of ASCOVINE, delivered more than free medical care. They rekindled hope, restored dignity, and reminded the community that health is not a luxury, it is a right.
“What we’ve witnessed here goes beyond medicine. This was healing for the body, yes, but also for the heart,” said one volunteer nurse, her eyes misty with emotion.
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Great job
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