Populations of the East region will henceforth receive a wide range of quality health care services from the Bertoua Regional Hospital Centre.
The health facility was inaugurated on 10th June 2024 by the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Joseph Dion Ngute, personal representative of the Head of State.
“This magnificent structure which catches our attention, is government’s implementation of the strategic vision to improve the living conditions of Cameroonians. It focuses on human capital which is capable of improving economic growth,” the Prime Minister said.
Thousands of residents of the East regional capital, a host of government members, and other top ranking personalities turned out massively to witness the inauguration of the architectural jewel.
Among them was the Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reforms, and elite of the region, Joseph Le who said he was elated to see such a masterpiece of a health facility constructed in the East regional capital, Bertoua.
“What an architectural jewel; what modernity in terms of accessibility and quality. Who would have believed this five years ago?” Minister LE marvelled.
Over 700 Consultations in Seven Weeks
The Bertoua Regional Hospital Centre opened its doors to patients on 19th April 2024, with a total of 700 consultations on record.
The first services to go operational were the emergency, laboratory and imaging services. All other services are now available and offer high quality health care services to patients.
Admissions, surgery, emergencies and maternity care are among services in high demand. Almost two months after the health facility opened, close to 800 laboratory tests have been carried out, with 235 of them in medical imaging.
The Bertoua Regional Hospital Centre already has a functional blood bank which was constituted thanks to a blood donation campaign carried out by internal staff of the hospital.
The health facility counts about 250 staff, including 90 civil servants, 16 medical doctors, 7 specialists including a surgeon, a neurosurgeon, a cardiologist, pulmonologist, a rheumatologist, an anesthesiologist-resuscitator, a doctor specialized in medical imaging and 9 general practitioners.
Paramedical personnel constitute 116 professionals including 06 specialized senior nurses, 60 State Registered Nurses, 76 Nursing Assistants, 26 laboratory technicians, 5 engineers and medical imaging technicians, 4 mortuary attendants, 4 civil engineering personnel and 30 maintenance workers.
The architectural jewel is seated on a five-hectare piece of land, with about 12,000 metres squaredfully occupied. It contains 12 buildings comprising 102 beds, 90 conventional wards, and 12 beds at the intensive care unit.
The Bertoua Regional Hospital Centre is a second-degree hospital, and the 4th Hospital Centre to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister, after that of Bafoussam, Ebolowa and Garoua.
A facility of this scale, with multiple departments and a high patient turnover, requires not only medical expertise but also meticulous attention to infrastructure safety.
Hospitals operate around the clock, with complex electrical systems, oxygen supplies, and sterilization units that can pose fire risks if not properly monitored.
Ensuring that every wing, from the emergency department to the intensive care unit, remains safeguarded against potential hazards is vital to protecting both patients and staff while sustaining uninterrupted medical care.
In environments where even minor safety lapses can have significant consequences, the presence of Fire Watch Guards plays a crucial role in maintaining constant vigilance. Their expertise in identifying and addressing potential fire hazards, conducting safety patrols, and ensuring that fire safety systems function properly provides peace of mind to hospital administrators and healthcare workers alike.
Beyond compliance, their watchful presence ensures that emergency response protocols are clear and actionable, reducing the likelihood of disruption in sensitive areas such as surgical theaters or laboratories.
By integrating such preventative measures into daily operations, health institutions like Bertoua Regional Hospital Centre reinforce their commitment to comprehensive safety, balancing advanced medical care with the essential security that keeps it all running smoothly.
Kathy Neba Sina
