Njukang Asong handing donated items to the Minister of Public Health’s representative
By Andrew Nsoseka
The Friendship Circle, TFC, and partners, led by its president, Njukang Asong, unveiled and handed over a consignment of essential pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, protective gear, lenses, and other medical items valued at about FCFA 400 million to over 30 hospitals throughout Cameroon.
The donation, the organisation’s president says, “aims to enhance healthcare services and improve patient care throughout the country”.
The supplies were handed over to the representatives of the selected hospitals, through the representative of the Ministry of Public Health during an event presided at by the Inspector of Administrative Services at the Ministry of Public Health, Oyono Geraldin, at the Buea Regional Hospital premises. He sat in for the Minister of Public Health, who could not make it to the event.
Oyono presided over the ceremony, alongside officials from the Southwest Governor’s office, the Buea Municipal Council as well as stakeholders from the Southwest Regional Delegation of Public Health and the Buea Regional Hospital.
Speaking at the ceremony, the various officials from the Regional to Municipal level all urged the beneficiary hospitals and their officials to put the donated items to good use. They urged that the officials also give out the donated medications and supplies to patients for free, because they are given for free and to be given out or used on those in actual need of them. They also urged TFC to ensure that they follow to see that the items are put to good use.
A cross view of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals donated by TFC to hospitals in Cameroon
Speaking at the ceremony, Njukang Asong, who led the initiative, said he was thankful to be in Buea to share a special moment with the people. “Today was an inaugural celebration of the TFC medical supplies donation. This time it is so special because we have a partner, Colours of Roses Foundation, led and owned by Dr Sylvia Dasi who is also present with us here. It is so special for us because it is the centrepiece of the objective and mission of the friendship circle, which is to do our own part to elevate the healthcare system in Cameroon.
“The message that we have is simple: – that while we agree that government should be there for us, that government should work for us, and while we are thankful for the progress they have made from inception to date, I think it is time for us to take responsibility as individuals, as young people, as professionals to share what we have. And we have a responsibility to build this nation together, whether it is in healthcare, agriculture, business or other sectors, all of us have that responsibility,” he said, furthering that their action was just a step in that direction. He said their team is 25-strong and was assisted by other donors too.
Njukang appreciated the MP for Momo East Mbengwi Constituency, Hon. Injoh Foo Ngang Prudencia, who helped them liaise with the Ministry of Public Health and that of Finance to have the ministires facilitate the entry of the donated items into the country, duty-free.
TFC members, government officials and hospital representatives in a group photo after donations
On his part, Oyono Geraldin, representative of the Minister of Public Health, appreciated and encouraged TFC. He said the donated medical items will permit the communities to have better health services. He urged the beneficiaries to put the material to good use, and advance the services they offer, as instructed and envisioned by the Ministry of Public Health and the President of the Republic.
The Friendship Circle, TFC, a non-profit organisation based in the United States of America, carried out the donation in partnership with Colours of Roses Foundation. During the event, the organisations said they were brought together and in partnership by a collected drive to help their communities and people in need.
This donation comes after similar actions and projects from TFC all tailored towards assisting hospitals and communities in need, not only in Cameroon, but also in the US, where they visit, cloth and feed the homeless.
