Department of Communication and Development studies at UBa benefits #COVID19 kits from UW-CIDT

Cross section of students in the hall

The University of Wolverhampton through its Center for International Development and Training country Lead Madam Rosaline Obah Akah has donated COVID-19 kids to the department of Communication and Development Studies at the university of Bamenda and by Extension the Faculty of Arts.

COVID-19 kits to be distributed to students

During the brief ceremony that took place at the University Campus the Project Lead for the UW-CIDT COVID19 Response in Cameroons NW and SW Madam Rosaline Obah Akah highlighted the importance UW-CIDT attaches to ousting the pandemic "the Center for International Development and Training at the University of Wolverhampton has it's interest in completely frustrating the efforts of the virus. We at the center are looking for communities with little or no support during this period to ensure that our own quota goes a long way to prevent a spread of the virus", she noted. Madam Akah furthered on the importance of wearing masks correctly. Given that it is anew, many people keep dragging it forth and back their moth and chain. She therefore cautioned on the bacteria which is carried from beneath the chin to the mouth and nose when the mask is pulled down the chin and neck for respiration " if you think you are alone and feel uncomfortable in your mask, remove it completely" she concluded.

Project Lead for the UW-CIDT COVID19 Response in Cameroons NW and SW, Rosaline Obah Akah

The social media has a great role to play in this #COVID19 era. To this effect the Executive director of Global Initiative for Digital Inclusion and Communication Miss Pedmia Shatu Tita was part of the UW-CIDT team and stressed on the need for information verification in #COVID19 times. She drew the attention of student journalists on the need to check the ecosystem of every information in order to wage a strong war against Fake news, hate speech, misinformation and disinformation. 

Executive director GIDICom, Pedmia Shatu Tita

The handing over of materials such as hand sanitizers, buckets, masks, was done in the presence of the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Prof Canute Ngwa and the Head of department Proff Akoko Robert. Receiving the gifts, the duo expressed satisfaction to the UW-CIDT team for considering their Faculty and said it will go a long way not just to help the department but other departments and faculties will benefit from the largesse.  

Prof. Akoko Robert, Prof Canute Ngwa and Mme Rose Obah Akah (L-R)

 It is worth noting that the university of Wolverhampton through their Centre for International Development and training is carrying out #COVID19 response in 5different countrys with Cameroon inclusive. In the days ahead the Center will involve 10 radio stations 5 in the NW and 5 in the SW in a COVID-19 response project to last for 3 months. 

Uppaultine Vimombi

Over 200 sickle cell children in Bamenda benefit anti-covid kits from CIDT

As the world witnesses a rise in the number of confirmed cases owed to #COVID19, governments, organizations, individuals are doing all it takes to help curb the spread of the virus. Over the weekend, over 200 sickle cell children and by extension 1500 persons in their respective homes in Bamenda and Santa received face masks, soap, tap buckets, la Croix, and medications/First Aid that will last them for a period of 3months from the University of Wolverhampton Center for International Development and Training (UW-CIDT).

Cross section of participants 

The UW-CIDT project lead for COVID-19 response in the Northwest and South west Region, Rosaline Akah Obah during the maiden distribution excercise with the sickle cell children on Saturday July 25, 2020 in Bamenda indicated that the gesture to this particular target group is intended to give a sense of belonging to minority groups. "I realized that, this special group of persons needed more attention in addition to their health condition. After a thorough research, I found the Association of Sickle Cell Persons in Cameroon led by Mrs Agwetang Evelyn".

UW-CIDT project lead for COVID-19 response in the Northwest and South west Region, Rosaline Akah Obah

She furthered that association has been doing a lot to improve on the health conditions of the children for many years today and the challenges compounded with the advent of Covid-19.

Medical for sickler sufferers 

Accompanying the project Lead for the Northwest and Southwest Region was the Executive Director of Global Initiative for Digital inclusion and Communication Miss Pedmia Shatu Tita who cautioned the beneficiaries on the need to verify information that they receive on the social media with primary sources and not take any claim about the virus for gospel truth. She surged them all to respect basic hygiene measures like washing of hands regularly with running water and soap, wearing of masks, keeping social distancing, avoid close contact with infected people and if they feel unwell, they should contact the toll free number.

Executive Director Global Initiative for Digital Inclusion and Communication drilling beneficiaries on the need for information verification 

It should be noted that the university of Wolverhampton through their Centre for International Development and training will in the days ahead, involve 10 radio stations 5 in the NW and 5 in the SW in a COVID-19 response project 4 3 months.

Pedmia Shatu Tita

African Vaccination Week relaunched in the Northwest Region to emphasize the role of vaccines in Children

African Vaccination week 

The Regional technical group for the expanded program on Immunization for the Northwest Region has relaunched the African Immunization Week to reiterate one of WHO's objective which is to highlight the importance of vaccines in the health of children.

The launch began Tuesday July 14th at the Regional Delegation of public Health with a press briefing with some journalist of local radio stations and bloggers. During the presentations, the Coordinator of the Regional Technical Group for the Expanded Program on Immunization, Dr. Chebo Cornelius indicated that African Vaccination Week is celebrated in the last week of April (24 to 30 April) with aim to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. He furthered that the relaunch is coming at a time when the sociopolitical crisis and the global health crisis is at the center of affairs. He however surged media practitioners to be able to craft out messages encouraging mothers to get their kids vaccinated, introduce them to the new vaccination calendar which no longer ends at 9months but at 15months.

Journalists at the briefing 

It should be noted that Immunization saves millions of lives every year and is widely recognized as one of the world’s most successful and cost-effective health interventions. Yet, there are still nearly 20 million children in the world today who are not getting the vaccines they need, revelations made by the Focal person for Communication of the Regional Delegation of Public health, Mr.  Raoul Saho.

The theme this year is #VaccinesWork for All and the campaign will focus on how vaccines and the people who develop, deliver and receive them are heroes by working to protect the health of everyone, everywhere.

Child being immunized 

The main goal of the campaign is to urge greater engagement around immunization globally and the importance of vaccination in improving health and wellbeing of everyone, everywhere throughout life.
As part of the 2020 campaign, WHO and partners aim to:

Demonstrate the value of vaccines for the health of children, communities and the world.

Show how routine immunization is the foundation for strong, resilient health systems and universal health coverage.

Highlight the need to build on immunization progress while addressing gaps, including through increased investment in vaccines and immunization.

Given that WHO has designated 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, WHO will highlight nurses and midwives for their crucial role as early vaccine champions for new parents and parents-to-be.

Just as Cameroon has been declared polio free, Dr. Chebo thinks that if journalists play their role in strategic and proper communication, other diseases common to children like miseales and rubella can be minimized.

Journalists and bloggers left pledging to raise awareness on routine vaccinations at all stages of growth for children.

Pedmia Shatu Tita

COVID19 Updates: Northwest Regional Delegate of public health stresses on anti-covid measures as confirmed cases rise to 610

#COVID19 has and still remains a global health threat to the world at large. 

Below is an update on #COVID19 Epidemiological situation as of the 13th of July.

So far, the Region has registered 610 confirmed cases, 159 people currently tested positive (33 being linked to treatment and 126 on treatment), 390 have recovered, 61 people have died. 

The Regional Delegate of Public health for the Northwest Region (COVID-19 pandemic Incident Manager for the North West Region) Dr. Kingsley Che Soh continues to appeal to the population to respect all anti-covid measures. 

Pedmia Shatu Tita 

Cameroon Nurses Association UK aids Regional Hospital Bamenda in the COVID-19 response

By Pedmia Shatu Tita 

Today July 1st 2020, the Regional Hospital is pleased to receive 80 protective gowns from members of the Cameroon Nurses Association being donation from their UK counterparts indicating that it is their own token to fight the Coronavirus pandemic.

Director Nsame Denis immensely thanked the Association both home and abroad and promised that the protective equipment shall be put in good use.

The Cameroon Nurses Association (CNA) was established in 1999. The main aim of the CNA is to contribute to the improvement of the health of citizens by fostering nursing education, research, care and management. 

The objectives of the CNA are to: organize and unite nurses in Cameroon; provide an avenue where love and understanding can be nurtured among nurses and midwives; improve the standards of professional practice through continuing education and research; assist the government in developing and implementing national health policy; and to create a forum where nurses/midwives can: - clarify their role assertively within the health care team, - empower nurses develop leadership role in healthcare, - promote the image of the nurse by encouraging and assisting members to improve their status, and - foster cooperation between national and international non- government organizations especially the Commonwealth Nurses Federation.