First Lady Donates to Dehane Community

Christopher Jator

29 May 2011

The Dehane Integrated Health Centre in Edea I Subdivision has received a new boost in the fight against diseases such as malaria, diarrhea, cholera and respiratory infections that are common in the community. The Circle of Friends of Cameroon, CERAC, founded by the First Lady, Mrs. Chantal Biya, offered drugs, benches, beds, chairs, mattresses, machetes, bags of rice, wheel chairs, tables, a generator set, fridges, a television set, among other items, to the health facility last Saturday, May 28.

Aimed at helping patients and vulnerable persons in the area to receive quality healthcare, the special gifts were accompanied by strict instructions on their judicious use. Mrs. Catherine Esso, representative of the First Lady and Vice President of CERAC, underscored this during the official hand over ceremony at the premises of the health centre.

The health centre was also renovated by CERAC which has been towering in its mission to assist communities to meet basic healthcare, education and agricultural production. A potable water supply scheme carried out by CERAC was also officially handed over to the Dehane-Yassoukou community.

Reason why when receiving the gifts on behalf of all patients in the community, one of the patients thanked the presidential couple for working hard to complete the project which is in line with the Millennium Development Goals. “The centre has been made to look like a reference hospital and has given them a reason to be happy,” she said.

Nogbe Esther, medical doctor, explained that the structure serves about 90 per cent of the community, medically speaking. “The absence of drinkable water rendered the fight against certain diseases difficult.

Today, we have been provided a modern and resplendent Integrated Health Centre,” she said. Since renovation and equipping of the structure, consultations have risen by 30 per cent in the past three months, with cholera infections dropping by 50 per cent.

By May 28, the cholera record for Dehane showed 74 reported cases, with two deaths. Neo-natal tetanus claimed two lives, reason why the medical doctor used the occasion to also announce the vaccination of women aged 15 to 49 years against the disease.

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