Some 69 patients undergoing dialysis at the Hemodialysis Centre of the Bamenda Regional Hospital have received with satisfaction and thanksgiving the warmth gesture of over 4.2 million francs CFA to assist them pay for at least 10 sessions each for 37 clients and 15 sessions each for 32 other clients.
Heading the delegation of over 20 women from the University of Bamenda (UBa) was Prof. Margaret Tita who is Head of Women Department UBa and doubles as Director of the Higher Teachers Training College. Speaking at the brief event that took place at the hospital’s multipurpose hall, Prof. Tita said their visit to the hospital is to concretize what they had conceived 2 months ago.” This gift we are handing over today is the effort of all UBa women. Last year we were here with the sum of 1,700,000 still to assist patients in the dialysis unit and we are here again today for the same purpose. I know many are asking why we decided to come back. I must sincerely tell you that based on our findings, this group of people will always be in the hospital because they need that service to live. The criteria for choosing 10 sessions for some and 15 for others was determined by their background and economic status. We work in collaboration with the hospital administration and the family members of each of the concerned individuals. All financial procedures have been done and each beneficiary will receive the number of tickets as per their sessions.”
Addressing these women, the hospital’s Director Dr. Nsame Denis, congratulated them for the gesture and called it a life-saving venture. He presented the hospital in figures and content, mentioning the successes of the hospital as well as challenges. Director Nsame enumerated some of 2021s achievements. In the domain of infrastructure, there was the construction of a second mortuary, the construction of a 25-room VIP Centre (Solidarity Ward) by the Ministry of Public Health, the renovation of Reanimation Ward by the WHO, the construction of a platform to harbour a generator donated by the City Council, the construction of a second water purification plant at the Dialysis Centre, the construction of an embarkment in front of the mortuary, the construction of a Client & Staff toilet at the mortuary, the installation of Screening Canopies at the main entrance to the hospital, the creation and equipment of the Kit Room, the creation of an Obstetric Kit Room at the Maternity, the repairs or leakages in D-Ward, the drainage of a septic tank in the E-Ward.
In the domain of equipment, the hospital acquired a Full Blood Count machine (URIT 3000 plus) for the Lab, acquired one Quantitative HB Electrophoresis machine for the Laboratory, acquired a Cardiotocograph for the Labour Room, two Incubators for the Nursery, ten (10) OMRON BP Monitors. In the domain of donations, the hospital received a 160kva generator from the City Council, a truck-load of hospital equipment from the MINSANTE, two truck-loads of hospital equipment from external donors, Canopies and anti-COVID-19 equipment from the Governor and other donors, a new CT Scan machine from the Ministry of Public Health.
Just like any other institution, the hospital has its own challenges. Revealing what he termed major challenges, Dr Nsame mentioned shortage of staff, both quantitatively and qualitatively (Radiologist, Pediatrician, Reanimator/Anesthetist, Cardiologist, Radiology technicians, Midwives, Nurses specialized in intensive care, etc.) as a challenge. He also mentioned many unpaid bills: 72 million FCFA 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 treated) and 38 million in 2021 (with 1091 poor and vulnerable patients treated).
The absence of radiologists, internists, etc. caused us to refer many clients to other health facilities. Frequent voltage in electricity destroyed a number of our equipment, the CT Scan for example. We have 250 kva and 200 kva standby generators that require huge amounts of fuel (gasoil). Any assistance in fuel shall be welcomed, he added. Some structures are in a state of dilapidation (OPD, D-Ward and hospitalization beds needing to be given a new face-lift). We will not forget the many kidnappings, harassments by phone calls and the extortion of money and vehicles from some staff by unknown individuals, he concluded.
The women were further entreated to a health talk by Dr. Mambap, the hospital’s Nephrologist, who schooled them on what exactly causes Kidney disease and how they could prevent themselves and their loved ones from developing any form of Kidney disease.
Dr. Mambap reiterated that the kidney, being among the most vital organs in the human body, has as function to filter the blood and help in passing out waste through urine He appealed to all present to encourage people to go for regular screening in order for them to make changes for a healthy lifestyle.
The medic stressed that preventing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its complications is possible by managing risk factors and treating the disease to slow its progression and reduce the risk of complications. To keep healthy kidneys, it is important to control those risk factors for Chronic Kidney Disease that can be modified, he added.
Moreover, Dr. Mambap mentioned weight loss if you are over weight, for physical activity helps control blood sugar levels, Quit smoking, getting a checkup, take medications as directed, keep your blood pressure below 140/90, or ask your doctor what the best blood pressure target is for you, If you have diabetes, stay in your target blood sugar range as much as possible, Stay in your target cholesterol range, eat foods lower in salt, Eat more fruits and vegetables, as golden rules for a healthy kidney and a healthy body.
Representing the Association of Dialysis Patients Bamenda branch, was their Secretary General Formin Cecile who poured out words of appreciation to UBa women for salvaging their lives. According to the Secretary General, it was a timely gesture coming at a time when some patients would miss out on sessions because they cannot raise the weekly 10.000 Frs CFA for 2 sessions though the government has subsidized it. ” When we got the news last night we felt like lifting you all up; we felt like doing many wonderful things but we said there is a word greater than anything – we are here to say THANK YOU. Last year you came here to pay for 5 and 6 sessions for us. Here you are again today to write your name in the hearts of these dialysis patients. We sincerely appreciate you. We pray that God replenish your source and like Oliver Twist, we pray that you come back with more gifts to assist us. I am a testimony to the work the hospital is doing. I was pregnant while on dialysis and I successfully had my baby in that process; one of the rare cases nation and world wide. I sincerely appreciate the work the hospital administration is doing by giving us discounts. For example all lab tests for us have a 50% discount; blood transfusion for patients on dialysis is 11000 instead of 17,000frs. We cannot underestimate that. The well-trained staff are amazingly providing care for us and the 8 machines provided by the ministry have indeed helped improve on the quality of health care we receive.”
It is important to note that the visit of these women, coincided with the Governors visit to the hospital and Governor Lele saluted the efforts of these women despite the trying times in the Region. He mentioned that on several fronts he has seen this group of women sought to safe lives hence he promised to support them all the way through to put smiles on the faces of those in pain
At the end of the brief ceremony, the hospital chaplains Rev. Fr. Cletus Tita and Rev. Dr. Davidson Angwe blessed all receipts and they were distributed to the concerned individuals to ease access to services when they are due.
The team then visited the Hemodialysis Unit and the water treatment plant, built to meet the needs of the patients as 100litres of water is needed per patient during a session.
