AFCON 202:

30 New Ambulances Acquired

As part of activities marking the upcoming African of Nations to be played in Cameroon, the Ministry of Public Health under the high instructions of the president of the republic has acquired some 30 brand new ambulances to ease the evacuation of patients during the tournament.

The said ambulances were presented to the public during a press conference chaired by the minister of Public Health Manaouda Malachie, on Wednesday September 15, 2021 at his ministerial department.

Speaking at the meeting, the minister reiterated that his ministry is update as far as the hosting of the AFCON is concerned, giving the medical facilities put in place so far.

Among other things, the ambulances contain first aid medical equipment such as blood pressure gauges, stethoscopes, thermometers, medical tapes, flashlights, paramedics, jump bag, bag valve mask suction unit, trauma/spinal board, cervical collar, medication bag, ventilators, haemoglu-cometer, wheeled cot, miscellaneous items, beds and blankets.

They will help provide immediate and effective life-saving care in a safe and clinical working environment with maximum mobility during the AFCON. They will also assist in stabilizing and treating patients quickly to prevent any mishap before the patient reaches the hospital.

These newly acquired ambulances come to add to renovation works that have been carried in hospitals set aside for the AFCON.

After visiting the Yaoundé Central Hospital on Tuesday, September 14, to examine its state of preparedness, he proceeded with the visiting of the General Hospital of Yaoundé on Wednesday September, 15, 2021.

Services that will play a key role during the AFCON in this hospital are the emergency departments, radiology department, intensive care department, the operating theater and the high standing department. Major equipment here are the IRM, which happens to be one in its kind  in the whole of Central Africa, and 128 Mobile CT Unit Scan that permits the diagnosing of several pathologies. This scanner has limited the evaluation of medical tests in this hospital, according to its authorities.

The head of the radiology department in this hospital explained that these services and equipment will be of crucial benefit to victims during the underway AFCON. “There is the MRI service which allows trauma analyzes.  There are the services of the scanner which will also allow to explore traumas during the different games. There are the emergency services, the operation service, the intensive care unit… Everything is prepared to be able to welcome the AFCON,” said Prof. Geugang Gajou Émilienne.

With the availability of these technical and human resources, the minister firmly reiterated that Cameroon is fully ready to welcome the 2021 AFCON, as far as the availability of health resources are concerned.

“At the technical and equipment levels, as well as at the level of personnel, the health evolvement for the AFCON are made at an acceptable and appreciable level, that is at a satisfactory level.  Even if the AFCON was to be held tomorrow, in terms of health, we are ready.” Dr. Manaouda Malachie affirmed.

The head boss went on to say that despite the availability of this health facilities, the ministry still has rectifications to be put in place for any unforeseen shortcomings. This particular include the recruitment and transfer of staff where necessary. Again, health personnel will be intensively trained to reinforce their capacities as far as human resource is concerned.

“At the moment, we have quality human resources, but as it is a permanent exercise, we will continue to train them and to raise their capacity in matters of emergency management and in matters of disasters. We are in an event which will definitely give a lot of trouble.”

This medical tour which started on Tuesday September 14 has as objective to evaluate the specifications of preparatory activities towards the AFCON. That is, what the ministry has done so far inline with the hosting of the AFCON, and what is left to be done. This will permit correct what needs to be corrected within the little time left.

The evaluation works take into account the covid-19 pandemic that is still ravaging our society till date, as well as other pathologies that can easily be spread during the competition.

It is worth recalling that renovation works carried out in these hospitals set aside for the upcoming AFCON is in line with the head of state’s plan to transform hospitals across the nation. The works will therefore extent to other regions in the month ahead. Meantime, the minister of Public Health and his team will continue their evaluation tour in Douala, and later to other towns that will be hosting the AFCON.

Ingrid KENGNE