The recovery of the Bamenda Regional Hospital has received a major boost after businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Dreamland Connect, Edison Fru Ndi, donated office equipment worth 3.5 million FCFA to fully furnish a temporary office for the hospital's General Supervisor.
The intervention comes just days after a devastating fire destroyed several sections of the hospital's administrative block, reducing key offices, equipment and important records to ashes. While authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage and prepare for reconstruction, Fru Ndi's donation has enabled one of the hospital's most critical administrative units to resume operations.
A Hospital Left Counting Its Losses
The fire caused extensive damage across the administrative block, affecting the Central Pharmacy, Conference Hall, Statistics Unit, Universal Health Coverage Unit, Medical Adviser's Office, General Supervisor's Office, Social Action Service, ICT and Telemedicine Unit, library, hospital canteen and chaplaincy.
Beyond the destruction of furniture and infrastructure, the blaze disrupted administrative services essential to the daily functioning of one of the North West Region's leading referral hospitals.
Among the hardest-hit offices was that of the General Supervisor, whose responsibilities include coordinating hundreds of paramedical staff, supervising students on clinical placement and overseeing the smooth running of several hospital services. Following the fire, essential duties had to be carried out from borrowed offices and temporary spaces.
Restoring a Critical Command Centre
Recognising the urgent need to restore the office, Edison Fru Ndi stepped in with what hospital officials described as more than a simple donation of furniture.
His contribution recreated the General Supervisor's office almost entirely.
The donation included a complete executive office desk and chair, two visitor chairs, three office cupboards for document storage, a 50-inch Samsung Smart TV with wall mount, a coffee table with four chairs, a 3-in-1 HP colour printer, office carpet, refrigerator, hot water boiler and an Airwell air conditioner.
To ensure the office could begin operating immediately, the package also included twelve drinking glasses, twelve coffee cups, twelve teacups, two containers of Coffee-mate creamer and two packs of decaffeinated coffee.
Within hours, the once-empty office had been transformed into a fully functional workspace, allowing the General Supervisor to resume his responsibilities under improved working conditions.
This Hospital Belongs to All of Us
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Fru Ndi said his action was motivated by a sense of responsibility rather than charity.
"This hospital belongs to us. It is our responsibility as elites to take action. While we are the primary beneficiaries, what we do, we are doing for ourselves."
He urged members of the community to continue supporting public institutions, noting that collective action remains essential during times of crisis.
Hospital Management Expresses Gratitude
The Director of the Bamenda Regional Hospital, Dr. Nsame Denis, thanked the Dreamland Connect CEO for responding promptly to the hospital's urgent needs.
He described the General Supervisor as one of the institution's busiest administrators, responsible for coordinating the hospital's paramedical workforce and maintaining critical staff records.
According to him, while government prepares the permanent reconstruction of the damaged administrative block, ensuring uninterrupted healthcare delivery remains the hospital's immediate priority.
General Supervisor Ngunjuah Franklen also expressed appreciation for the gesture, recalling the challenges he faced after the fire.
"It was truly difficult, Usually, I receive students on Tuesdays, but after the fire I didn't even have where to sit to receive them."
He described the donation as one that had restored both functionality and dignity to an office central to the hospital's daily administration.
Solidarity Grows Across the North West Region
Fru Ndi's intervention comes amid a wider wave of support for the hospital following the fire.
Shortly after the incident, Felix Mbayu launched a public fundraising campaign to support the reconstruction and re-equipping of the damaged administrative block.
The appeal has attracted contributions from government officials, business leaders, parliamentarians, magistrates, mayors, media professionals and ordinary citizens. Within days, more than 40 million FCFA had reportedly been mobilised through donations ranging from 10,000 FCFA to 2.5 million FCFA.
The fundraising drive reflects the North West Region's longstanding tradition of community solidarity during times of crisis.
Government Commits to Reconstruction
Meanwhile, the Minister of Public Health, Manaouda Malachie, has assured the public that government is fully committed to rebuilding the damaged infrastructure.
He announced that technical experts had been deployed to assess the extent of the destruction and prepare a comprehensive reconstruction plan aimed at restoring the hospital's administrative facilities while ensuring that healthcare services continue without prolonged disruption.
A Symbol of Recovery
Although a desk, chair and cupboard may seem modest compared to the destruction caused by the fire, the donation represents far more than office equipment.
It marks an important first step in the hospital's recovery, demonstrating how timely community support can help restore confidence and maintain essential public services while larger reconstruction efforts are underway.
As Bamenda Regional Hospital begins rebuilding, the response from individuals, government and the wider community serves as a reminder that institutions are strengthened not only through public investment but also through collective responsibility and solidarity.
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