By Doh James Sonkey
Cameroonian born medical practitioner, Dr Georges Bwelle has won the 78th Commonwealth Point of Light Award.
He was recognized by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London 2018 for his exceptional voluntary service providing free healthcare to rural communities in Cameroon.
The founder of the non-profit ASCOVIME mobile field clinic, Dr Georges Bwelle received the award last November 12, 2018 from the British High Commissioner to Cameroon, H.E Rowan Laxton.
Since 2008, Dr Bwelle and his volunteers have helped over 217,000 people by providing free medical care to over 330 rural communities via the running of mobile health clinics at weekends, alongside his day job as a surgeon in Yaounde’s Central Hospital. After spending years travelling with his ill father to poorly equipped hospitals and clinics, he was determined to improve the quality of care available to others.
Almost every Friday, Dr Bwelle and up to 30 volunteers get into vans, tie medical supplies to the roofs and travel across rough terrain to visit villages in need – sometimes having to push their vehicles through rivers and mud to get there. The mobile field clinic they set up includes an operating room and pharmacy and his team provides free consultations, dental care, medication, and operations, treating conditions from malaria to malnutrition.
As part of the legacy of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London 2018, Her Majesty The Queen – as Head of the Commonwealth – is thanking inspirational volunteers across the 53 Commonwealth nations for the difference they are making in their communities and beyond, by recognizing one volunteer from each Commonwealth country each week in the two years following the summit.
After receiving the award, Dr. Georges Bwelle said “I am deeply honoured and humbled by this extraordinary recognition from Her Majesty which serves as an inspiration for me and my team to become more involved with the work of humanity. Am grateful to God for the opportunity He has given me to play a small part in the lives of the underprivileged. My mission is to bring change to the world through health and education, and I am starting with the villages around me, one at a time. This prestigious Commonwealth Point of Light award serves as a motivation for me and my entire team of volunteers, and proves that our little efforts are indeed making a positive impact in the lives of those we serve.”
The UK High Commissioner in Cameroon, Rowan Laxton said “Dr Georges Bwelle and his team of volunteers from ASCOVIME have shown remarkable compassion, creativity and commitment through their determination to provide specialized health services to poor and needy people throughout Cameroon. Their work is a shining example of the impact that dedicated and skilled volunteers can make to brighten people’s lives.”