By Atia Tilarious Azohnwi
His Most Eminent Highness the Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign of Malta, Fra’Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempo di Sanguinetto has ended his visit to Cameroon on an emotional note.
He burst into tears as he said his visit to Cameroon has strengthened the friendship and cooperation between Cameroon and the sovereign order of Malta. He said Cameroon’s hospitality remains in his heart, with tears swallowing some of the words.
The President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul BIYA held cordial talks with the Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta at the Unity Palace on July 17, 2018. This audience was the climax of His Most Eminent Highness, Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto’s four-day official visit to Cameroon.
The Head of State and the Grand Master reviewed the 57-year-old bilateral cooperation that exist between Cameroon and the Sovereign Order of Malta. They agreed to deepen ties especially in the field of health and humanitarian aid – the main missions of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. It should be noted that the Order runs a modern hospital in Cameroon – the Saint John of Malta Hospital in Njombe, Littoral Region, which will be visited by the Grand Master. The Head of State and Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto also agreed to continuously strengthen the capacity of the hospital, which is at the service of all Cameroonians.
In the humanitarian field, Cameroon relies on the moral authority of the Sovereign Order of Malta at the international level to mobilise the necessary support for the management of refugees and displaced persons. Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto will pay a visit, on 18 July 2018, to the Gado-Badzere refugee camp in the East region. The camp host more than 24,000 Central African refugees. The Grand Master will certainly realise that Cameroon is a safe haven to foreigners in distress. He will also recognise the legendary hospitality and the humanist spirit of the Cameroonian people. Thus, Cameroon deserves more support in this domain. H.E. Paul BIYA and the Grand Master were joined at the end of their talks by the First Lady of Cameroon – Mrs Chantal Biya. The Head of State’s illustrious guest presented his compliments on the outstanding accomplishments of the Chantal Biya Foundation.
His Most Eminent Highness, Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto was decorated by the Head of State with a medal of Grand Cross of the Order of Valour. This was followed by an exchange of gifts by both personalities. Mrs Chantal Biya also received a magnificent gift from the Grand Master: a rosary.
Within the framework of his official visit to Cameroon, the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra’Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto, July 20, visited the Saint John of Malta hospital in Njombe, constructed by the Order of Malta France.
He was treat to a State welcome with a guard of honour by the detachments from the various units of the military. Security was assured by the presidential guard as a mammoth crowd turned out to welcome the august visitor.
Speaking during a ceremony in his honour at the entrance to the hospital, the Grand Master said he was impressed by the quality of services rendered by the hospital, saying the hospital was an integral part of the mission of the Order of Malta which develops such projects worldwide.
He disclosed that he discussed about the development plan of the hospital with various interlocutors in Cameroon who all show enthusiasm about the project which focuses on welfare of women and children. The President of the Order of Malta France, Yann Baggio, said the hospital was emblematic of the good relation between the Sovereign Order of Malta and Cameroon and that its vocation is to help the under privileged.
Public Health Minister, André Mama Fouda, representing the Head of State, announced that the government will disburse the sum of 765 million towards the construction of gynaecoobstetric centre at the hospital. He said the hospital was strategic not only because of the high technical equipment but also due to its closeness to the Douala-Bafoussam highway which frequently records accidents.
A view corroborated by the Director General of the hospital, Laurent Buffeteau, who said they usually treat victims of road accidents besides the general pathologies presented by patients. He said owing to the high quality of the equipment available, the hospital also serves as a teaching hospital to medical students who usually go there for internship;
The ceremony graced by an ambas-bay dance group form the Littoral and a Njang dance group from the North West Region, also saw some staff of the hospital awarded bronze and silver medals by the Order of Malta.
After the ceremony, the Grand Master and his entourage was taken on a guided tour round the services of the hospital after unveiling the plate marking the visit, placed on the wall at the entrance to the hospital.
He also visited the PHP plantation, the business concern that constructed the hospital as part of its corporate social responsibility.