Cameroon
GHM in Cameroon
Every year since 1988, GHM has sent at least one sea container to Cameroon. Each container is filled with capacity-building equipment (from patient monitors to digital x-rays and more specialized items), basic medical supplies, and accompanied by scholarships for medical staff, and charitable grants to make quality healthcare accessible to all. A prayer circle invariably marks the arrival of each sea container.
It all began with prayer almost a century ago, as two Norwegian missionaries felt their gospel proclamation was incomplete if they weren’t addressing social issues. One of them was a nurse. Standing in an empty field, she prayed for God to bring healthcare to this people. Today the flagship hospital of the Lutheran Church of Cameroon stands in that field and the church runs 30 facilities in all, with a vision to “Promote quality and affordable health care through qualified staff, following the example of Jesus Christ.”
Beyond serving its own people, Cameroon has been a relatively safe haven for people escaping violence in neighboring countries. Almost 300,000 refugees from the Central African Republic have entered Cameroon in recent years to escape violence, and thousands of Nigerians fleeing attacks by Boko Haram have come to Cameroon across the northern borders. Lutheran hospitals have been harbors of healing and even peace building in areas challenged by divergent groups learning to live side by side.
Data from WHO, and The World Bank
Meet Garoua Boulai
The Medical Director at Garoua Boulai Hospital, Dr. Adrien, knew he had to do something. Garoua Boulai was struggling with mounting debt, and the hospital was unable to pay suppliers, or staff, for months at a time. Dr. Adrien made some difficult staffing decisions and added financial controls that have made a difference. Today, there is a single cashier at Garoua Boulai, as well as video surveillance - both have been important for the hospital’s turnaround. Staff morale has improved as even back pay is being repaid. Every room in the hospital features gifts from GHM, including the newly renovated maternal and pediatric units, which are a blessing for local women and their families. Garoua Boulai has become a leader for other hospitals in Cameroon to follow.
