By Ndumbe Bell Joseph Gaston in Douala
The first-ever female medic appointed by government to manage the affairs of the famous Laquintinie Hospital after almost a century of its existence, was installed recently by the Minister of Public Health, Manaouda Malachie.
The new Director, Dr. Marie Solange Ndom epse Ebongue Manga, aged 44, received the baton from Dr. Joel Essomba Emmanuel, the outgoing Director, who was tailored by the presiding Minister as being at the top of his performance and was seen to be highly applauded by the staff community and many who had passed through him.
In the presence of a huge number of Douala residents and others such as two other ministers, the Governor of Littoral Region – Samuel Dieudonne Ivaha Deboua, the Douala City Mayor – Dr Mbassa Ndine, senior Ngondo officials and traditional leaders, Senate vice-president, other politicians, security, medics, family members, loved ones and admirers, the Minister Manaouda Malachie said the appointment and timeliness underscores the Head of State’s message to reinforce medicare facilities, improve the quality of personnel and services up to national and international standards and make necessary provisions available to society at their doorsteps.
Dr Manaouda described Laquintinie Hospital as one of the most important health care delivery hubs in Cameroon and the Central African region, underlining reasons why the choice of the new Director comes with the modernisation challenges of taking the hospital to international standards.
“You have the resources to improve the infrastructure, optimise the capacities of human resources, reinforce partnerships with stakeholders like Douala Urban Council and so on, work with everyone to consolidate the spirit of patriotism, solidarity and peace,” he told the new Director.
Manaouda urged the public to welcome the new Director with the spirit of solidarity, discipline and engagement.
Dr. Marie Solange Ndom Manga read medicine in the University of Yaoundé I and specialised in other institutions in Morocco. Her passion in the profession is stated to have propelled her to realise many scientific exploits. She is trusted and expected to play a key role in medicare developments. With her potential, she is expected to introduce a new dynamic to improve the value of discharging her duties and management.
In her brief encounter with the media, the mother of four talked of her priorities to standardise some structures and services to meet national and international standards. After offering her gratitude to hierarchy, she promised to ameliorate the wellbeing of patients and that of personnel.
The Ngondo Secretary General was deeply appreciative to hierarchy for appointing their daughter among others and asked for God’s blessings and that of the ancestors to accompany her as she performed her duties. Earlier, he declared that this is the first woman ever to be director of the hospital since 93 years.