Northwest Governor Calls On Mayors That Have Abandoned Their Municipalities, To Return And Ensure The Smooth Functioning Of Their Local Health Centers

Workshop’s resolution calls for the reinstatement of credit card system to medical staff employed by local councils

  Another resolution demands that mayors be integrated into District Hospital Management Board Committees

Health officials warned against malpractices of setting up illegal health facilities in their communities

Northwest Governor, Adolph Lele Lafrique, has called on all mayors in the region who are still living outside their municipalities, to return to the municipalities, and among other things ensure the smooth management of their local health centers. The Governor by this reinforced the need for strong local leadership in driving the region’s decentralization agenda.

The Governor made the call while speaking at a regional workshop which held in Bamenda last week, and served as a platform to address discrepancies and challenges, that regional and local authorities face in managing health services under the decentralization policy. Resources persons to the workshop came from the Ministry of Public Health.

Resolutions and decisions adopted at the workshop which brought together mayors, District Medical Officers (DMOs), health actors and stakeholders, included a call for the reinstatement of suspended credit cards for paying medical staff employed by the local councils, so as to enable the mayors to pay their health care workers promptly.

Health officials were warned to desist from the malpractice of illegally setting up health facilities in their communities. They were told that the Ministry of Public Health is committed to fighting against the malpractices, and local councilors were encouraged to report any such violation of the Law in their different municipalities.

Meanwhile, Governor Lele Afrique on behalf of the Northwest Region expressed thanks to the Minister of Public Health, Dr Manaouda Malachie, for all that he and his ministry have done for the region. But like Oliver Twist, the Governor also asked for more, asserting that the public health establishments or facilities in the region need more staff as well as more infrastructures.

It should be noted that the above report is contained in the report that the Communication Service of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSANTE), did on the Bamenda workshop.

The report by the Communication Service of MINSANTE is published below in its entirety (Only the sub – heads in the report, are by The Mentor):

“Decentralization In Action:

Northwest Region Takes Charge Of Health Sector

In a significant move to drive the decentralization process in the Northwest Region, the representative of the State, Governor Adolphe Lele Lafrique, has affirmed the region’s progress in managing health services under the new devolved powers.

Speaking at a workshop on Monday, September 30, 2024 at the Northwest Regional Assembly , the Governor highlighted how regional and local councils are now actively involved in overseeing health facilities, with mayors managing sub-divisional health centers.

The workshop which brought together mayors, District Medical Officers (DMOs), health actors and stakeholders, was designed to promote the full ownership of the powers devolved by the State in the  health sector. It marks a high moment in the region’s ongoing efforts to strengthen decentralization and improve the delivery of essential services.

Governor Says Decentralization Is Unfolding Effectively In The Region

Governor Lele Lafrique noted that decentralization is “unfolding effectively” in the Northwest Region, with the Northwest Regional Assembly playing a direct role in managing regional and district health facilities. Local councils led by their mayors, are now responsible for management of health centers within their jurisdiction, ensuing that health services are more accessible and tailored to the needs of the communities they serve.

The Governor’s remarks set the tone for  the workshop, which was attended by dignitaries of the region and representatives of the Northwest Regional Assembly, including the Questor, Jude Nsom Waindim, sitting in for the President, Prof Fru Angwafo III, and Director of General Affairs, Alombah Anderson Akondi.

Resource Persons From Ministry Of Public Health

The workshop featured two important presentations. Dr Idrisu Mbuh, Head of Mission from the Ministry of Public Health and Sub –Director of Primary Health Care, offered an insightful overview of Cameroon’s health system, while Ngu Paul Nengou from the Ministry’s Division of Research, presented on the legal framework surrounding the transfer of powers to regional and local council, particularly in the health domain.

The presentation presented participants with a clear understanding of the current health structure, the legal responsibilities devolved to the local authorities, and the potential for enhancing service delivery through decentralization.

  Absence Of Credits To Pay Medical Staffs Recruited By Councils

Highlighting the concerns of the mayors in the Northwest Region, Awoh Dang Denis, President of UCCC Northwest, stressed the absence of credits previously allocated for paying medical staff employed by the councils. He also emphasized the need for clarification on the procedures for creating and operating health units, ensuring collaboration with District Medical Officers to deliver services to the population.

The highlight of the workshop came with the in-depth discussions and brainstorming sessions, which addressed several challenges faced by local councils in managing health facilities. The Regional Delegate of Public Health, Che Soh Kingsley, presented the workshop’s outcome and key recommendations which included:

Resolution Recommended The Reinstatement Of Credit Cards

• The suspended credit card system for paying medical staff employed by local councils should be reinstated to enable mayors to pay their health care workers promptly.
• A formal procedure should be established to ensure that all technical sectorial heads are involved in the maturation of health projects from local councils, leading to more efficient project execution.
• Mayors should be integrated into District Hospital Management Board Committees, to improve management and accountability.
• Any project initiated by mayors to transform or expand health facilities must respect the national health map, and adhere to the legal frameworks of decentralization to avoid duplication and inefficiency.
• Supports from elites, local councils and other partners to health facilities should respect the autonomy of functioning of these health facilities.

Illegal Health Facilities Set Up By Health Officials

Health officials, DMOS and hospital directors were urged to stop setting up unauthorized health facilities in their communities. The Ministry of Public Health has committed to addressing such malpractices, and local councilors were encouraged to report any violations.

Governor’s Call On Absentee Mayors

In his closing remarks, Governor Lele Lafrique thanked participants for their active involvement and thoughtful contributions during the workshop. He expressed his commitment to efforts to improve the region’s healthcare system, while also appealing for increased support from the central government. “And while thanking the minister, like Oliver Twist, we ask for more staff , more infrastructures, as these accompany us in rebuilding back better  the Northwest  Region”,

The Governor also urged mayors to return to rerun to their municipalities, and ensure the smooth management of their local health centers, reinforcing the need for strong local leadership in driving the region’s decentralization agenda.

Platform To Address Discrepancies And Challenges

The workshop provided a platform for addressing the discrepancies and challenges that regional and local authorities face in managing health services under the decentralization process. With the Northwest Regional Assembly and local councils now at the forefront of health management, and with strong guidance from the Ministry of Public Health, the region is on track to build a more responsive and community –focused healthcare system.

As decentralization continues to evolve, the active participation of local councils, supported by State –level actors, will be critical in transforming the health sector and ensuring better service delivery for all. The recommendations from this workshop will no doubt guide the next phase of decentralization, ensuring that health services in the Northwest Region are both efficient and equitable

            By the Communication Service of the Ministry of Public Health.