Pandemics Impede Implementation Of Malnutrition Program In Cameroon

Yaoundé, Cameroon—Pandemics such as malaria, diarrhea and other hygiene related diseases are hindering the implementation of an Italian government-funded program against malnutrition and anemia in toddlers in Cameroon, say UNICEF officials.

Jeanne Edjegue of UNICEF told reporters at a press briefing in Yaoundé April 28 that this is one of the conclusions deduced from feedback provided by community agents involved in the implementation of the pilot phase of the program in the North and South regions of Cameroon most hit by malnutrition and anemia.

The program dubbed ‘Programme de Fortification Almentaire a Domicile et de Promotion de l’Alimentation du Nourisson et du Jeune Enfant’ in French, entails the distribution of free nutritive supplements otherwise known as micronutrients,  to nursing mothers for children between the ages of 6 to 23months.

The nutritive powder added into cooked food and given to children 30 minutes later is called VitaMin. It contains 15 vitamins, zinc and mineral salts that prevent diarrhea.

Packet of VitaMin Micronutrients

Andre Tonga, a nutritionist from the Ministry of Public Health told reporters at the briefing that parents are advised not to feed children suffering from malaria, diarrhea and even acute malnutrition with VitaMin. He said it is not a treatment for any disease and that even children suffering from acute malnutrition would continue to suffer if parents attempt to treat them with VitaMin.

Edjegue of UNICEF stressed that the product was an emergency measure to curb malnutrition and the prevalence of anemia among children between the ages of 6 and 23 months. She said nursing mothers are encouraged to breastfeed their children till they are 6months old before they begin feeding them with food enriched with VitaMin.

She admitted that children in Cameroon suffer from malnutrition not because of lack of food but because of poor feeding patterns.  UNICEF is also engaged in helping parents to master proper feeding patterns for children, so that the distribution of nutritive supplements would no longer be necessary in a near future, Edjegue said.

She also said: “We have decided to reinforce the fight against malaria and promote WASH (Water, hygiene and sanitation) programs in order to ease the implementation of the program. We continue to encourage citizens to use treated mosquito nets for the right purpose and not for fishing”. 

The Beneficiaries

Between January and April 2016, the first 173,859 sachets of the product have been distributed to households in the health districts earmarked for the pilot phase of the program which started in 2014 with research findings, and is scheduled to end in January 2017.

The beneficiaries include the Ngong, Pitoa, Golombe and Bibemi health districts.

Nursing mothers in the Minawao Camp in Far north Cameroon, 2015

Reporters were told the two regions selected for the pilot program were observed to be representative of the entire country situation.

Parents who are already benefiting from the program are said to have testified that the supplement boost their children’s strength, appetite, growth, happiness and alertness.

The decision of UNICEF in the implementation of the program in collaboration with the public health ministry, are based on the most recent available statistic on the prevalence of malnutrition and anemia in Cameroon, which statistics date as far back as 2011.

Prevalence Rate Of Malnutrition

According to the records, 60% of children between the ages of 6 to 23 months in Cameroon suffer from anemia; a third of the 122 of 1000 children who die in Cameroon before their fifth birthday die of malnutrition related diseases.

The North region has 40.2 % and 68.2 % prevalence rate of malnutrition and anemia respectively while the South region has a recorded percentage of 33.1 % and 73.6 %.

The other regions would benefit from the program only after a successful pilot phase in the North and south regions.

Other regions severely hit by anemia include the South West region with 60.5 %, Adamawa with 61.9 %, far north region 63.5%, and the east region with 66.8% prevalence rate.

By Mbom Sixtus in Yaounde

NUDP National Youth President, Ndansi Elvis Ties Nuptial Knot

Mbengwi, Cameroon—The conference hall of the Bamenda II council was almost filled to the brim with family and friends who had banded to witness an époque-changing event in the lives of Christabel and Elvis Ndansi last Saturday April 2, 2016.

'....,take this ring as a sign of my love for you,' Chris tells Elvis

Then at a little over 20minutes behind schedule, a black Pathfinder jeep leading a long convoy cruised into the council court. Onboard was the national youth president of the NUDP party, Elvis Ndansi whose outfit of the day spoke volumes.

A couple of minutes later, a well decorated red Toyota jeep drove into the council vicinity. Saluted by shouts of joy from family, friends and other well-wishers, Christabel Kah alighted to join Elvis Ndansi in the hall.

Ndansi carries "his burden"

And that was the beginning of Chris & Elvis’s journey into a new world; that of a couple!

After having counseled the couple-to-be, the officiating mayor asked, “…polygamy or monogamy?” then the groom smiled, looked at the bride loving and sublimely answered, “monogamy”

In a declaration that was followed by a thunderous round of applause, the bride said “I, Kah Christabel Tamufor take thee, Ndansi Elvis Nukam, to be my lawfully wedded husband…, take this ring as a sign of my love for you.”

The marriage rituals then culminated in the statement by the presiding mayor; “I therefore declare you husband and wife. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Ndansi.”

A photo session and a reception at Ayaba Hotel put an end to first part of the wedding and paved the way for ‘the real thing’ that took place in Ngyen Mbo, Mbengwi.

Ndansi to Chris: "take this ring as a sign of my love for you"

Though most of the discussions between the bride and groom’s families were behind closed doors, highly sought-after radio talk show host, Jator Richard Tonga of Radio Hot Cocoa Bamenda and The Guardian Post’s Yaounde city report, cum staff delegate, Mua Patrick who co-emceed the traditional wedding served guests with the same expertise they are reputed for.

The head of the bride’s family will then come and announce the end of their in camera session at a time the groom was ‘declared missing.’

With a cup of wine in hand and dancing to the tune of a well selected traditional music, Christabel who was accompanied launched a search and finally found Elvis to whom she handed the cup of wine after sipping….

Mr. and Mrs. Ndansi minutes after the signing their marriage

Chris & Elvis’s guests were later thrilled to a live performance by several artistes amongst who were Ateh Bazor, Kibungla Siprano, Bob Gala Didier, Bob Ben etc.

One of the artistes (whose name I will not dare mention) almost forgot his own lyrics as the bride and groom joined him on stage with bank notes.

Happy Matrimony!

Laquintinie Hospital Scandal: TFF Condemns Irresponsible Behavior, Calls on Gov’t To Establish Responsibilities

Bamenda, Cameroon—According to a press release sent to our newsroom by Mr. Mokun Njouny Nelson, The Fomunyoh Foundation (TFF) condemns in the strongest terms all the irresponsible behavior as well as manipulations of any kind that affect the lives and dignity of human beings. It invites the Cameroonian government to establish responsibilities and to draw all the consequences, so that such events will never happen again in our national triangle.

See full press release below:

Dr. Christopher Fumunyoh, President of TFF

It is with deep emotion and great consternation that we learned the sad events of recent days involving some Cameroonian hospitals, especially with the quality of their reception and care for people admitted to the emergency units. After the case of Ms Ngo Kana, a young doctor who died while giving birth, the current case of Ms. Monique Koumate has once again plunged all souls with a bit of humanism into fear and worry.

While extending condolences to the concerned families and the entire national community, the Fomunyoh Foundation condemns in the strongest terms all the irresponsible behavior and manipulation of any kind that affect the lives and dignity of human beings . It invites the Cameroonian government to establish responsibilities and to draw all the consequences, so that such events should never happen again in our national triangle.

The Fomunyoh Foundation draws the attention of medical personnel of all hospitals, public or private, on their homework to save lives, regardless of the social status of people or any other consideration. While recognizing the difficult conditions under which they work, the sanctity of life must always take precedence over demotivation and any form of pursued of financial gains.

Moreover, these recent events challenge at the highest level the President of the Republic and his government, that the Cameroonian health system be reformed and improved to be at the service of the people. It is also urgent to establish a universal health care coverage that will ensure universal access to prompt and quality care to all Cameroonians.

The Fomunyoh Foundation remains strongly mobilized and attentive to closely monitor the situation in our hospital units , in accordance with its humanitarian work and the protection of human rights, to provide a better life for the most vulnerable people of our country.

Done in Bamenda, 14 March 2016

The Fomunyoh Foundation

President

Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh

Pope Francis Approves Creation Of Kumba Diocese

Yaounde, Cameroon—The head of the Roman Catholic church, Pope Francis on Tuesday March 15, 2016 approved the creation of the new diocese of Kumba in the Southwest region of Cameroon.

Pope Francis

With territory taken from the Diocese of Buea, making it a suffragan of the metropolitan see of Bamenda, the new diocese has a population of some 564,000 with about 200,000 of them being Catholic. They are served by just 38 priests and 44 religious.

The Holy Father also appointed 52 years old Bishop Agapitus Enuyehnyoh Nfon as pioneer Bishop of the newly created Kumba diocese. Until his appointment, he was serving as the auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bamenda.

New Bishop for Ngaoundere

The head of the Roman Catholic Church equally appointed Msgr. Emmanuel Abbo as bishop of the Ngaoundere diocese which was orphaned in January 2015. Until his appointment, the 47 years old was serving as apostolic administrator of the same diocese.

The Diocese of Ngaoundere has just 44,000 Catholics in a population of more than one million. They are served by some 35 priests, 10 permanent deacons, and about 100 religious.

Aid Organization To Carry Out 600-1000 Free Surgical Operations In Cameroon

Mbot, Cameroon—A massive campaign to provide free medical services to some disadvantaged communities in Cameroon would take place in the village of Mbot in the country’s Northwest region from May 25 to June 3, 2016.

The campaign dubbed Mbot Mission Trip (MMT) 2016 has been organized by the Omer Yembe Foundation; a charitable 501c3 entity created and registered in the State of Texas, USA in 2015.

“This is will be a massive campaign for a better life led by Dr George Bwelle and his team. They will address medical, dental and surgical cases for the first six hundred to one thousand people including adults and children,” Dr Enaka M. Yembe, president of the Omer Yembe Foundation said in a statement.

Dr Georges Bwelle will lead the medical team to Mbot

Dr. Georges Bwelle, a general surgeon at the central hospital in the Cameroon capital is also founder of ASCOVIME, a grassroots volunteer organization committed to fighting illiteracy and disease in the country.

He and his ASCOVIME team will remain at the Omer Yembe Memorial Medical Center in Mbot where they will provide free consultations, examinations, medications, and operations if necessary during the eight days health campaign.

“Our mission is to improve the health, education and wellbeing of the poorest people in and around Mbot. This is a population of about 2,500 inhabitants and up to 10,000 if you consider the surrounding villages,” the president of the Omer Yembe Foundation said of the campaign.

According to the World Bank, an estimated 1.2 billion live in extreme poverty (defined as those who live on less than 1, 25 USD per day) worldwide. Poverty and disease are stuck in an ongoing, vicious relationship. One goes a long way towards intensifying the other with studies demonstrating that infection rates of certain diseases are highest in regions where poverty is rife.

“This is a painful reality in remote villages in many third world countries. We have set our focus on one of them - on the village of Mbot,” Dr. Enaka said.

The US-based medical doctor explained that by organizing the health campaign, the vision of the charity organization is to break the vicious cycle of the direct impact of poverty on the health and wellbeing ‘of our people’ and create a positive change for generations to come.

By Ndi Eugene Ndi in Yaounde

Precipitated Elections: NUDP Militants Urged To “Be Ready For Any Eventualities”

Yaoundé, Cameroon—Militants of the National Union for Democracy and Progress, the NUDP party have been urged to be ready for any eventualities amidst calls from their peers ruling party, for president Biya to call early elections.

NUDP party chairman, Bello Bouba Maigari gave the advice to militants of his party in Yaoundé on Saturday February 20, 2016 as he received 2016 best wishes from militants of the CPDM ally political party.

Bello Bouba (R), Ndansi whispering NUDP Politics in Misaje (archives)

Bello Bouba told supporters of his party that the main thrust of the political party for the year 2016 is to complete the reorganization of its basic organs in conformity with its statutes.

He urged the youth and women’s wing of the 25years old party whom he described as “engine of the party” to get involved in the reorganization process and ensure it is completed before the party’s congress in 2017.

And his message was understood by the youths of the party who said they are determined to come to the congress next year with democratically elected militants.

“We are very ready for the reorganistion process. We are calling on all the youths of the party not just to participate in the reorganization but to also occupy important positions within the ranks of the party,” NUDP national youth president, Ndansi Elvis said.

The party’s youth wing president who will come to the end of his first five year occupancy in 2017 said he will seek another mandate if his peers give him another chance.

“My stewardship will be evaluated by all the youths of my party and if they give me another chance that will be welcomed because I still fall within the age bracket that will permit me to stand,” Ndansi Elvis stated.

Yandal steals show

Celestin Yandal, a supporter of the NUDP party who spent to close to two years in jail over electoral problems emanating from the 2013 legislative and municipal election in the Touboro council area in the North region was saluted by the party.

NUDP party chairman, described Yandal as combatant of democracy while Ndansi Elvis, the party’s youth wing president described his release as a victory.

“His release has proven to us the youths that when we are the fight for democracy we should be courageous because justice will always prevail. It is also an opportunity for us to thank the justice system of our country that despite the delays, he was released finally and we are proud that a young man like him was able to bring victory tour party,” Ndansi Elvis said of Celestin Yandal’s release.

The New Year wishes ceremony was also a moment to pay tributes to some supporters of the party who passed on to eternity like the late Hon Sona Elonge, one-time Member of Parliament for the Kumba urban constituency who the NUDP chairman described as a committed militant.

“He has been a staunch and committed militant. A militant whose sound vision and advise has been sort throughout these years as member of our party,” the NUDP national chairman said of the late Hon Sona Elonge who reportedly died in January this year.

Yaoundé On Alert Over Alleged Boko Haram Infiltration

Yaounde, Cameroon—Security has been beefed up in the Cameroon capital, Yaoundé following what authorities have termed a possible terrorist attack by the Nigerian jihadist group, Boko Haram.

Defence minister Joseph Beti Assomo urged that security be reinforced in strategic locations, including government offices, army barracks, military hospitals and crowded places.

Mr Assomo also ordered the immediate closure of the Northern entrance to the Defence ministry headquarters, which faces the French Embassy in Yaoundé, as well the erection of speed breaks in front of the military garrison hospital.

This reporter could not independently verify allegations that over 80 Boko Haram militants recently infiltrated the town.

Though Yaoundé has not been targeted before by the group that has killed tens of Cameroonians in the Far North Region, the Defence minister’s order has been seen by many as a response to the above allegations.

At least 20 people died and over 50 others were injured following a twin suicide attack on a market in Mora late last month. The attack, like previous ones, was attributed to the Boko Haram, which has carried out close to 100 strikes in the Far North since the beginning of the year.

Amnesty International says the Nigerian-based Boko Haram has killed more than 20,000 people in its seven-year insurgency. It has since last year stepped up attacks in neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

Cameroon is part of an 8,700-strong joint Military Task-Force (MNJTF) set up to combat the jihadists.

MNJTF comprises units from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin.

By africareview.com