Shisong Cardiac Centre extols satisfactory performance

By Njodzefe Nestor in Bamenda

Family picture after the meeting

Authorities of the Shisong Cardiac Centre have described as satisfactory but not without challenges the centre’s activities for the year 2014. This was during the centre’s Board of Directors evaluation meeting, which took place in Kumbo in the presence of the President of the Committee for the Follow Up of the Cardiac Centre-Ministry of Public Health Partnership, Prof. Arthur Essomba.
    The meeting which took place on April 23, 2014 was aimed at reviewing the centre’s activities in 2014, examine challenges and chat a way forward.
    In her presentation, which focused on the achievements, short comings and future plans, the Manager of the Cardiac Center Rev Sr. Jethro Nkenglefac, cited the purchase of a bus for screening, the signing of several conventions with organizations and trainings for staff, teachers as some of the centre’s bench marks since inauguration. She also said about 1027 pupils have been screened while some cases are being followed up.
    She however regretted that about 88 percent of surgeries are sponsored through the institution’s Heart Foundation.

    One of the biggest challenges, Rev Sr Jethro said has been huge amounts paid as electricity bills and additional amounts spent on fuel during power failure. She however saluted the visit of the General Manager of ENEO to the centre, stating there are hopes of reversing the present situation.
    Other challenges, she said was lack of CT scan, water shortage, lack of proper control and care of patients’ diet and hygiene and the fact that there is no booster installed to complete oxygen production.
    Today with a resident surgeon and growing staff strength, officials of the cardiac centre say they have improved their activities especially outreach programmes, which the centre’s Clinical Director Dr Jean Claude Ambassa acknowledged was largely due to the purchase of a bus. Out of the ten regions of the country, six have been covered notably the North West, South West, West, Littoral, centre and south regions.
    From 2009 to 2015, Cardiac Surgeon, Dr Charles Mvondo said about 481 cardiac operations have been performed at the centre.
    The president of the follow up committee of the Cardiac Center-Ministry of Public Health Partnership, Prof Arthur Essomba lauded board members for the work done for the advancement of the centre. He acknowledged that the centre is a reference centre in the entire Central African Sub Region.
    Cameroon’s Minister of Public Health Andre Mama Fouda officially inaugurated the Shisong Cardiac Centre on November 2009.