Kumbo CBC PTSHS graduates 219

The Cameroon Baptist Convention, CBC Private School for Health Personnel, PTSHS, in Kumbo Division, Northwest Region, has graduated 219 trainees.

The graduation ceremony took place at the Banso Baptist Hospital, BBH Kumbo, on Saturday, August 23.The graduates include; 43 Nursing Auxiliaries, 17 Laboratory Auxiliaries, 42 Pharmacy Auxiliaries, 22 Nursing Assistants (NAs), eight Biomedical Assistant Technicians (BMAT), 14 Advanced Practice Laboratory Assistants (APLA) and 16 Advanced Practice Nursing Assistants-Obstetrics(APNA-OB). Other graduates include 19 Advanced Practice Nursing Assistants-Med-Surg (APNS-MS), three Ultra Sound Assistant Technicians (US) and eight Nurse Anesthetists (AN).

Speaking at the ceremony, the CBC Director of Health Services, Prof. Pius Tih said the students were graduating at a time when the world was facing lots of challenges in the health sector. He cited communicable and non-communicable diseases such as Ebola. He called on the graduates to function in line with their fields of specialisation.

He equally called for humility in the graduates as they embark on their field work in the various stations. Prof Tih paid glowing tributes to the respective families and sponsors of the graduates for their support that enabled the trainees to successfully complete the courses.

Describing the CBC health training school as a wonderful initiative, Kumbo Council 1st Deputy Mayor, Margaret Lukong Beri, called on the graduates to put theory to practice and adopt methods to ensure exemplary healthcare.

The Assistant Divisional Officer, DO, for Kumbo, lauded the CBC for initiating the Health Personnel training school, saying it was in line with Government’s policy on the public health. He said the nursing profession is challenging while describing the nurses as night watchmen of patients.

He said their duties are enormous, but their pay can only come from God. The DO lauded the francophone candidates for their courage to study in an Anglophone zone, explaining that they will be leaving Kumbo more bilingual than they came.

Addressing the audience at the graduation ceremony, the Principal of PTSHP Kumbo, Jacob Nkwan Gobte, said the school has a total of 10 departments and runs over 28 programmes. Nkwan said part of the graduates include eight said the students, who, he said, had acquired specialised skills in hospital equipment maintenance, repairs and basic clinical skills.

“This is the kind of training that can lead Cameroon to emergence. As it is often said, technical education can open doors where they do not exist. In fact, this is an important course, especially in our setting where technology is limited or completely lacking,” the Principal said.

Nkwan paid glowing tribute to the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training for the support to train more Cameroonians, saying it will reduce unemployment and provide lasting solutions to the frequent breakdown of equipment in hospitals and health centres.

The Principal disclosed that the Nursing Assistants did exceptionally well in their State certificate examination. He paid tribute to all those who contributed to the success, including the teaching staff, some of whom were honoured with prizes.

Despite the successes, it was made clear that the school is in dire need of a school library, a bus, internet services and a building. Highlights included paper presentation on the topic: “Suppression and its Effects on the Healing Process of a Patient” by Ernest Mondi, award of testimonials and prizes of excellence and the taking of the Nightingale Oath by graduating nurses.