By Ikome Christie-Noella Eposi in Buea
A major public health outreach spearheaded by the Ministry of Defense unfolded in Buea from November 24 to 29, 2025, as Brigadier General Tobie Gabriel Ngolo Ngomba, Commander of the 2nd Joint Military Region presided over the launch of a free health campaign at the Buea Military Hospital. The initiative, held as part of year-end humanitarian activities, aimed to reinforce collaboration between the military and civilian populations while expanding access to essential healthcare services.
Representing the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defense, Brigadier General Ngolo Ngomba emphasised that the outreach was driven by the military’s mandate to remain closely connected to the population it serves. “It is necessary to permanently and constantly strengthen the links between the nation and the army, which is the basis of our defense circle,” he said. He added that beyond security, the military plays a significant role in education, transportation, agriculture, and especially health, an area he described as essential to community well-being.
The campaign offered a wide range of free services including general consultations, nursing care, prostate screening, HIV and STI testing, hepatitis B and C screening, blood sugar tests, and minor surgical procedures such as circumcision, wound dressing, and cyst removal. Laboratory and imaging exams were provided at significantly reduced costs, while other services such as vaccination, pharmacy, physiotherapy, X-ray, antenatal care, family planning, and echography remain available at standard rates.
According to Lieutenant-Colonel Dr. Blanchard Noumedem, Chief Medical Officer of the 10th Military Health Sector and CMO of the Buea Military Hospital, the primary goal of the campaign was to demonstrate the military’s commitment to public welfare beyond its traditional security mandate. “This outreach is a way of reminding the people of the South-West Region that we stand beside them not only in matters of security but also in healthcare,” he explained.
The campaign placed particular focus on prostate cancer screening and men’s mental health, aligning with the global “Blue November” movement dedicated to men’s health awareness. Dr. Noumedem noted that early detection remains the most effective strategy for reducing mortality linked to prostate cancer, a condition frequently diagnosed late in Cameroon. Beyond men’s health, the programme also screened for malaria, tuberculosis, hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic diseases that often go unnoticed until complications arise.
Expected outcomes of the campaign, Dr. Noumedem said, include strengthened early diagnosis, reduced stigma around HIV testing, improved management of infectious diseases, and increased awareness of chronic illnesses among the population. Health education and sensitisation were an integral component of the campaign, equipping patients with knowledge to better manage their health long after the outreach ends.
Reflecting on the hospital’s evolving role, the CMO revealed that public participation in previous editions has been consistently high, helping to dispel the long-held belief that military health facilities exist only for soldiers. “For over 50 years, Buea Military Hospital has been an important health facility not only for military personnel but also for civilians,” he said. The hospital provides maternity, pediatric, emergency, and minor surgical services, which are widely used by residents across the South-West Region.
Common conditions treated among children include malaria and typhoid fever, while adults frequently seek care for hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis. The maternity unit remains particularly active as many women rely on the hospital for antenatal care and safe delivery services. Dr. Noumedem emphasised that confidentiality, professionalism, and 24-hour emergency availability remain core strengths that continue to attract civilian patients.
He added that the hospital’s daily operations already serve both military and civilian communities, and the free health campaign stands as just one of many ways the institution demonstrates its commitment to public health. “Our mission goes well beyond the military sphere, we exist to serve the health needs of all residents of Buea and its surrounding areas,” he affirmed.
The 2025 edition of the free health campaign once again showcased the Defense Ministry’s efforts to position the military not only as a guarantor of national security but also as a partner in social development. With hundreds expected to benefit from screenings, consultations, and health education, the initiative reinforces the message that accessible healthcare remains a shared responsibility, one in which the military continues to play a vital and evolving role.