Top on the agenda during this 2nd quarter meeting of the Bamenda Regional Hospital Management Board was on the Universal Health Coverage enrollment, client satisfaction, and personnel management.
Opening the session on behalf of the Chairperson of the Management Board, Mrs Chambi Julie, expressed satisfaction in the efforts put in by the hospital administration since the last quarter to ensure the smooth functioning of the hospital. She praised the administration and staff for displaying professionalism in managing incidences. While thanking God for preserving board members to be all present for another session, Mrs Chambi Julie appealed for open and frank discussions.
Dr. Nsame Denis, Director of the hospital, while presenting the annual report, mentioned a rise in some health activities like consultations, admissions, deliveries, endoscopic surgeries, major/minor surgeries and blood transfusion. The top diseases in the hospital were malaria, Peptic ulcer diseases (gastritis), Urinary tract infections, hypertension, Gastroenteritis, Congestive Heart Failure, Chronic Kidney disease/Acute Kidney injury, Diabetes and Stroke while the top 5 causes of death remain Septic shock, Congestive Heart Failure, Chronic Kidney disease/Acute Kidney injury and Stroke.
Some achievements of the first quarter in the domain of equipment and infrastructure include the construction of a waiting buckaroo for ICU/Theatre, the purchase of a biochemistry machine (RANDOX MONACO), the purchase of a 9-compartment fridge for the mortuary,the organization of the End-of-year Award Ceremony. In the domain of donations, the Hospital received: a Mammograph and a Dental Panoramic x- ray Machine from MINSANTE, was promised donation in cash to Support the Theatre renovation by MUBANG Foundation, hospital consumables from Doctors of the World (MdM) /GIZ.
For major challenges, Director Nsame listed shortage of staff in quantity and quality (ENT, Reanimator/Anesthetist, Sonographer, Radiology technicians, Midwives, Nurses specialized in intensive care etc.), Energy with frequent voltage fluctuations, which destroys equipment: CT scan, Ultra Sound, operating lights, etc. The 250KVA and 200KVA standby generators demand huge amounts of fuel (gasoil). Hence, any assistance in fuel shall be welcomed. Dilapidating state of some infrastructure (Out Patient Department, Female surgical ward, New Private Ward, and hospitalization beds requiring a total face lift). Frequent impact/noise from gunshots near the hospital premises, not forgetting kidnappings, harassment by phone calls and extorsion of vehicles and money from some staff by unknown individuals. Performance Based Financing unpaid subsidies: 82 million. Also, there are so many unpaid bills:
• 72 million in 2018 (with 378 poor and vulnerable patients treated)
• 38 million in 2019 (with 839 poor and vulnerable patients treated)
• 31 million in 2020 (with 1192 poor and vulnerable patients received)
• 38 million in 2021 (with 1091 poor and vulnerable patients received)
• 58 million in 2022(with 1256 poor and vulnerable patients received)
• 11 million in the 1st Quarter 2023. (With 289 poor and vulnerable patients received)
As for the plans of the 2nd quarter, Director Nsame highlighted the complete construction and roofing of a corridor for careers in the Intensive Care Unit/Theatre, Old Mortuary renovation and installation of a 9-compartment fridge, the construction of a 20,000-liter capacity water tower, the construction of a 2nd Borehole plus Tower with 10.000-liter capacity (By City Council) and the building of part of the broken fence at mortuary entrance gate.
Mrs Paulina Besong Etta Epse Fozoa, the staff representative in her presentation appreciated the hospital administration in their efforts to keep staff comfortable with their in-service trainings as well as motivation for the tireless efforts they put in in the discharge of their duty most recent of which is the award to meritorious staff. She echoed that in the first quarter of 2023, sessions were held with staff and resolutions were arrived at to often applaud staff for the good work they do with clients, encourage continuous mentorship amongst colleagues, reiterating the importance of communicating passionately. The staff representative met with the hospital administration to channel worries and provided feedback to the staff, which was greatly appreciated by the staff.
Presenting the work plan for the hospital in performance-based financing for the 2nd quarter from April 1st to 30th of June, the General Supervisor Mr. Ngunjua Franklin scored the level of attainment at 66.6%. The key activities scored were a biochemistry machine to be purchased (RANDOX MONACO) (Done), the purchase of a mortuary fridge (Done) and renovation of the broken fence at the Mortuary gate entrance (Not Done). He also painted a picture of the road map for 2023, bearing in mind the financial plan.
Community representatives in their report, through the voice of Mr. Shaibu Babayo Isyaka, gave feedback on the work they have been carrying out in sensitizing the population on the services offered in the hospital. The abandonment of corpses at the mortuary by the community was also raised, the fear of identification and collection of the mortal remains shouldn’t be any issue as we inform the community that they could make use of the community representatives to get through. Mr. Shaibu also said that during the district coordination meeting in Bamenda Health District, the Chief of Centres should always refer patients on time. Members of the community were also encouraged to always go for blood donations voluntarily at the Bamenda Regional Hospital. Mr. Shaibu concluded that there are regular sensitization campaigns where community members are implored to avoid quarter clinics that do not even have authorization to function. These health facilities, he indicated, are notorious for giving high bills and prescribing drugs from doubtful sources
The Universal Health Coverage (UHC) came under review, and Dr. CHE SOH Kingsley, Regional Delegate of Public Health for the Northwest enlightened the board members on what the UHC package was. As a way of introduction, he mentioned that the UHC is for everyone, and no one should suffer health challenges. Dr. CHE SOH stressed on enrollment, which he said is the takeoff point for this phase. He reiterated that we are in a digital age. Hence, no one is to be left behind, which is why the Ministry and partners saw the necessity for an online application. The application will be used for all the steps of enrolment, which starts with the pre-enrolment, which is the registration phase, he said. The application, he said, is user-friendly and provides for self-registration or registration by an enrolling agent, with or without an internet connection. After the enrollment, the beneficiary immediately obtains a receipt and subsequently a Universal Health Coverage card. Dr. CHE SOH took out time to echo the package of services for the Northwest Region for this 1st phase of the Universal Health Coverage which include; Free Consultation of children below 5 years of age, Free treatment of simple and severe malaria in children below 5 years of age, Hemodialysis of patients suffering from renal failure at an annual cost of only 15,000fcfa and the management, free of charge, of persons living with HIV as well as Tuberculosis, amongst other preventive and promotional services.
At the end of the session, Mrs Chambi Julie saluted the efforts of all the board members for their open mindedness in the session. She appreciated the different presentations, which gave an insight into the detailed activities and plans for the hospital for the next quarter and hoped that the activities earmarked are fully realized to accompany the ever-pressing needs of the clients.
The Board decided, after the session, to visit the constructed waiting space for carers of the patients in the Intensive Care Unit.
Upon their visit, the space was in use, and the carers expressed satisfaction. ‘’The Space comes to solve the discomfort that careers used to have years back as to where to eat, rest and have a change of clothes’’ said the careers.
