The Cameroon Country Office of UNICEF has donated a huge consignment of thermal bracelet, medications and other assorted medical accessories to the Bikok Sub-divisional Medical Centre in Mefou and Akono Division of the Centre Region.
Symbolic handing over of equipment to Head of Bikok Health Centre by MINSANTE & UNICEF officials
The donation which coincided with the World Prematurity Day observed every November 17 is part of efforts by UNICEF to support the Government of Cameroon in combating complications stemming from prematurity of newborn babies in the country.
This year’s commemorative activities organised by the Department of Family Health of the Ministry of Public Health, MINSANTE in collaboration with UNICEF was placed under the theme: “Giving Premature Babies a Strong Start for a Better Future.”
Listing the items at the November 17, 2025 event in Bikok, the Health Specialist in UNICEF, Belyse Ngum said in addition to the huge consignment of thermal bracelet and medications, the donation is also made of oxygen and reanimation kits, kangaroo sets dubbed ‘kanga sling’, dustbins, amongst others.
She said apart from the use of an incubator and the kangaroo method in handling complications of prematurity, the advent of the thermal bracelet is a new technology used in monitoring the body temperature of premature newborns. She demonstrated how to get the thermal bracelet on the wrist of the child functional highlighting signals which indicates that the newborn is feeling cold. She said whenever such signals are noticed, the newborn should immediately be wrapped using the kangaroo method to keep him/her warm.
She said the donation falls within the WASH and Behavioural Change Programmes of UNICEF adding that the Bikok medical health centre is friendly to children. She promised that a training session on the proper use of the equipment will be organised for the health personnel.
Talking about the World Prematurity Day, Belyse Ngum said it is a global event. She remarked that from analysis, there is a decline in mortality rate of children less than five years. She noted further that the mortality trend in children of less than one year is also declining but that regrettably, mortality rate within the ranks of premature newborns is still high. She told the health personnel that the care provided in the first 48 hours are very crucial for the survival of premature newborns.
She highlighted the three main causes of prematurity notably: infections, anemia, malaria, and malnutrition; chronic maternal conditions such as diabetes and hypertension; and multiple pregnancies and congenital malformations. To the Health Specialist, one other key element for the prevention of prematurity is the identification by mobile health workers of pregnant women in the community who should be accompanied and encouraged to go for clinical consultations from the early stages of the pregnancy.
On her part, the Regional Delegate of Public Health for the Centre Region, Dr. Therese Azoumbou Mefant said the Ngoumou Health District, encompassing Bikok, will soon be part of the Universal Health Coverage of MINSANTE. She said the advantage of belonging to the initiative is that pregnant women are expected to pay only FCFA 6000 which covers everything from all clinical consultations to delivery even if it entails a cesarean operation. She described the donation by UNICEF as a strong commitment to the good health of children especially the premature newborns who are given the opportunity to start life normally.
Dr. Azoumbou added that the donation is also a sign of solidarity with families going through the challenges of prematurity. She talked about the need of strengthening the capacities of the health personnel while appreciating the leadership spirit of the Head of the Bikok health facility.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Ngoumou Health District, Dr. Abraham Mbende hailed the Department of Family Health in MINSANTE and UNICEF for choosing Bikok to commemorate the World Prematurity Day which was in its 13th edition in Cameroon. He hailed the donation noting that the items will alleviate the suffering of premature newborns in Bikok. He told retired midwives to stop the habit of getting pregnant women deliver at home and rather encourage them to visit health facilities for proper care and follow-up. He called on the Bikok health personnel to use the donated items diligently.
The Head of the Bikok Medical Health Centre, Dr. Marie-Armelle Eya promised to use the equipment judiciously as she informed pregnant women to be ready for a series of tests and be open to respond to questions each time they come for clinical consultations. She said whatever is done is for their proper follow-up and encouraged the population to come for consultations when feeling sick even if the financial resources are limited.
The event was also an occasion for the Mayor of the Bikok Municipality, Crescence Meyengue to persistently ask pertinent questions during the interactive discussions. She said as Children Friendly Municipality, the promotion of the health of the population and particularly children, remains one of their key priorities.
By Nformi Sonde Kinsai