Governor Adolpe Lele Cutting Ribbon Alongside North West Bigwigs.A new chapter in the health history of the North West Region was written on Saturday October 11, as dignitaries, health professionals, and community leaders converged on the Regional Hospital Bamenda for the official reception of the state-of-the-art Emergency Centre, a major project funded by the North West Regional Assembly under the decentralization framework initiated by President Paul Biya.
The event, coming on the eve of Cameroon’s presidential election, was both a moment of gratitude and reflection on the Head of State, His Excellency President Paul Biya, for his visionary leadership and reflection on how decentralization is transforming public service delivery in the regions.
Dr. Denis Nsame, Director, Regional Hospital Bamenda, Presenting His Speech.“We Are Living the Vision of the Head of State” — Dr. Denis Nsame
In his moving welcome address, Dr. Denis Nsame Nforniwe, Director of the Bamenda Regional Hospital, described the day as “a dream come true” for the entire health family of the North West.
“Your Excellencies, it is with great delight and honour that I express on behalf of the staff of the Regional Hospital Bamenda our profound joy for this magnificent infrastructure,” Dr. Nsame said. “We are living the vision of the Head of State to upgrade hospitals in Cameroon to WHO standards.”
Tracing the hospital’s growth since its creation in 1956, Dr. Nsame revealed that the institution now runs with 613 staff, including 73 medical doctors, 34 specialists, and 243 nurses, serving as the reference hospital for the region with 400 beds.
He praised President Paul Biya’s consistent investment in the region’s health sector, citing the extension of the dialysis centre (now hosting 19 machines for 140 patients), renovation of the intensive care unit, construction of a medical oxygen filling station, and installation of new diagnostic equipment such as a mammography unit, panoramic dental X-ray, and a Siemens 16-slice CT scanner.
“Today, the addition of this gigantic Emergency Centre crowns years of continuous progress. It will enable us to manage trauma, gunshot wounds, obstetric emergencies, and mass-casualty incidents with better efficiency and coordination,” Dr. Nsame added.
He explained that the new G+1 structure, with 25–30 observation beds, features an ambulance unit, two theatres, a burn centre, imaging services, a pharmacy, laboratories, a blood bank, and emergency rooms for pediatrics and obstetrics, all designed to operate 24/7.
Dr. Nsame also used the platform to outline the hospital’s priority needs, including recruitment of additional health personnel, acquisition of more dialysis machines, energy stabilization equipment, and new ambulances.
“We pledge to maintain and protect these infrastructures for the welfare of our people without discrimination,” he concluded, receiving thunderous applause.
Governor Lele L’Afrique: “This Centre Symbolizes Hope and Partnership”
Representing the State, Governor Adolphe Lele L’Afrique hailed the event as “a milestone born out of resilience, partnership, and vision.”
“We gather in the spirit of gratitude to President Paul Biya, the wise man of Africa, the builder of peace for continuously listening to the needs of our people,” the Governor said.
He commended the hospital management and staff for their courage in saving lives under difficult conditions during the ongoing crisis, describing them as “heroes of humanity.”
The Governor highlighted the Emergency Centre as a tangible fruit of decentralization and the special status granted to the North West and South West Regions, stressing that it was “a direct response to the changing health realities of the region.”
“This project demonstrates that decentralization is working. When institutions function in synergy, the Regional Assembly, the Ministries of Public Health and Decentralization tangible progress follows,” he said.
Governor Lele urged continued collaboration in equipping and staffing the facility for full functionality, noting that “the health of our people is the foundation of peace, stability, and development.”
Prof. Fru Angwafo: “Decentralization is Delivering Concrete Results”
Speaking as President of the North West Regional Assembly, Prof. Fru Angwafo III described the reception of the Emergency Centre as “a moment of pride and proof that the Special Status is bearing fruit.”
He began his address by paying tribute to President Paul Biya, calling him “a leader whose humanism and concern for the welfare of all Cameroonians remain unwavering.”
“This Emergency Centre, funded at CFA 590 million, executed by the Regional Assembly, and supported by the State, is a model of citizen-centred governance,” he said.
Prof. Angwafo emphasized that decentralization has enabled the North West Regional Assembly to implement over 300 community projects, including health, education, and peace-building initiatives.
“The transfer of powers to Regional and Local Councils is one of the most far-reaching reforms of our time. It gives citizens the ability to identify priorities, manage resources, and shape local solutions. This Centre is a living proof of that empowerment,” he declared.
He also announced that the Assembly would provide financial assistance to needy patients and donate additional equipment to the Emergency Centre, describing it as a “joint victory for the people and the State.”
“Mimba sey U na Mi, Mi na U, we are one people,” Prof. Angwafo concluded, as the crowd cheered in approval.
A Symbol of Progress and Resilience
Saturday’s ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, including His Excellency Philemon Yang, Prime Minister Emeritus and President of the UN General Assembly, who lauded the hospital’s transformation and commended the staff for their commitment.
Other top government dignitaries included, Minister Mbah Acha Rose, Minister Delegate in charge of Supreme State Audit, Minister Felix Mbayu, Minister Delegate in charge of Commonwealth, Prof Fuh Calistus Gentry, Interim Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development, Kilo Vivian Asheri, Secretary of State to the Minister of Basic Education amongst others.
The day ended with a guided tour of the Emergency Centre, a gleaming edifice standing as a symbol of modern healthcare delivery in Cameroon’s North West Region. For many, it was not just the inauguration of a building but the dawn of a new era.
An era where President Paul Biya’s vision for decentralized, people-focused development is finding real expression, one region, one community, and one hospital at a time.
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