Atanga Nji delivers baby-care kits and financial assistance from the Presidential couple as hospital authorities highlight gunshot cases, unpaid bills, damaged infrastructure and equipment shortages
200 pregnant and breastfeeding women at the Bamenda Regional Hospital have received baby-care kits and financial assistance from President Paul Biya and First Lady Chantal Biya.
The assistance was handed over on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, by Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji during a working visit to Bamenda.
But beyond the distribution of the 200 kits, the visit exposed some of the pressing challenges facing the region's principal referral hospital, including a growing number of gunshot cases, unpaid medical bills, infrastructure problems, electricity difficulties and shortages of specialised equipment.
Hospital treats 17 gunshot cases in 40 Days
The Director of the Bamenda Regional Hospital, Dr Sama Julius Nkam, told the Minister that the hospital recorded 15 gunshot cases in September and two more in October.
Among the recent cases were the principal of GBHS Atiela and the NW Regional Delegate of Campost. The Campost patient, he said, was discharged on October 2.
The figures add to the pressure on a facility already dealing with patients who struggle to pay their medical bills.
Dr Sama Julius said some patients arrive unable to settle their bills, while others allegedly refuse to pay, leaving the hospital to shoulder the financial burden.
The director said the situation has become a major challenge for the hospital and continues to affect its ability to provide services.
Burnt section awaits reconstruction
Infrastructure and electricity are also among the hospital's major concerns.
Dr Sama highlighted problems affecting the hospital's infrastructure and power supply, as well as a section of the facility that was burnt and is awaiting reconstruction.
There is, however, optimism that reconstruction work on the damaged section will begin soon.
The hospital is also expecting additional equipment for its haemodialysis unit.
The facility currently has nine haemodialysis machines, while 10 new machines are expected to be provided to help ease existing difficulties and strengthen treatment capacity.
200 mothers receive support
Against this backdrop, the Presidential assistance offered immediate relief to 200 pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The beneficiaries received baby-care kits and financial assistance intended to help them meet some of the immediate needs associated with pregnancy, childbirth and caring for newborns.
Dr Sama Julius expressed gratitude to the Presidential couple for using Minister Atanga Nji to reach out to women in the community.
He said the intervention was particularly significant for women facing the financial pressures that often accompany maternity care.
More Women to be assisted
Minister Paul Atanga Nji said the Bamenda Regional Hospital intervention formed part of a wider assistance programme targeting vulnerable women across the region.
He said about 950 women benefited from assistance on Monday, a day before the hospital visit.
The Minister further assured that women in need would be taken care of.
The latest intervention follows other government assistance targeting women and households in the North-West.
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