The Minister of Public Health Dr Manaouda Malachie has announced measures taken by government to ensure medical care continues – in a statement after “armed individuals” torched the health facility on June 8.
“The Minister instructed among other things, the establishment without delay of a field hospital, the delivery and deployment of medical equipment to this health district (Mamfe),” the statement said. Adding that providing “psychological care” to health personnel, victims as well as members of their families was among the measures taken. The Minister said WHO Resident Representative and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) attended the June 9 meeting.
Recounting the attack, the Minister said “armed individuals burst into” the Mamfe District Hospital in the South West region, set the hospital on fire. He said 9 out of 12 buildings were “completely consumed” (by fire).
Dr Manaouda praised the hospital staff and the population for their “bravery”. 49 patients were pulled out of the inferno, a nurse of the hospital confirmed.
Fire on ‘terrorists’
Government, human right defenders and organisations have condemned the atrocious act that Yaounde blames on separatists operating in the area.
The Minister of Public Health Dr Manaouda Malachie called it a “despicable and barbaric act.” He said the act is unacceptable under international humanitarian law which prohibits any form of violence or act of aggression against hospitals and health personnel as well as ambulances. He added that “no claim can justify such ignominy.”
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim in Cameroon in statement on June 10 condemned the act. The Coordinator sees many locals deprived of healthcare, because of the act. “The Mamfe district hospital is covering more than 85,000 people living in the area,” the statement said. “The hospital serves as the main medical reference (centre) covering medical needs of remote areas in Manyu division, South West region,” the coordinator said adding that the burning down of the hospital “ further weakens the local health system.”
Patients from the destroyed hospital were moved to other health units around the area, including the military health facility in Mamfe.
Jude VIBAN
