By Boris Esono Nwenfor
FONTEM, PAV – Dr Christella Ajong Mbeboh, co-chair of the Health and Wellness Committee of LECUDO-USA, has described the free health campaign by LECUDO-USA, in collaboration with Mary Health of Africa Hospital and other partners, which ran from March 11 to 13, as a deeply personal mission.
“Supporting this mission as co-chair of the Health and Wellness Committee for LECUDO-USA means a lot to me because it allows us to bring healing and health directly to our community, she said.
The three-day medical campaign, held in partnership with Mary Health of Africa Hospital and other partners, has drawn hundreds of inhabitants seeking medical attention. According to Dr Mbeboh, the campaign has already consulted well over a thousand patients.
“Absolutely, we are excited,” she said. “Approaching 1,500 patients feels surreal. It’s always something we look forward to, bringing that touch of healing and health to our own community.”
She acknowledged that the achievement has come through significant effort from volunteers who have dedicated long hours to serve the population. “It has not been easy,” Dr Mbeboh explained. “We start work sometimes before 8 a.m. and leave around 8 p.m., seeing many people in a single day. But we do not regret it. We are thankful to God and to our wonderful volunteers who have travelled from the United States and those working on the ground.”
Common Illnesses Identified
During the campaign, doctors have encountered a range of illnesses common in tropical settings. For Dr Mbeboh, returning home has also meant reconnecting with diseases she once studied and treated more frequently.
Among the most common conditions observed during consultations are malaria, typhoid fever, cellulitis, parasitic infections, and other infectious diseases. “These are illnesses we see regularly, and we are happy to be able to treat them,” she noted.
Dr Mbeboh explained that the medical team will carefully analyse data collected during the campaign to evaluate its overall impact. “We will be looking at every single data entry point,” she said. “We want to see how much impact we had, which services were most used, and where there may have been gaps or areas that need improvement.”
The findings, she said, will guide decisions about whether future campaigns expand or adjust their focus. “Whether next year’s program will be bigger or recalibrated in some way remains to be seen. But one thing is certain—we have a heart for our community, and we are here to stay.”
Strengthening Public Health Awareness
Beyond treating immediate illnesses, Dr Mbeboh believes there is a strong need for greater public health awareness within the community. She noted that some residents still do not fully utilise the health services available at Mary Health of Africa Hospital.
“We realise that Mary Health is here and it is here to stay,” she said. “But people are not always using all the services available to them.”
She cited examples such as delayed antenatal care among pregnant women and incomplete vaccination coverage among children. “We see mothers coming late for antenatal care, and some children are not well vaccinated,” she explained. “There is still a lot we can do in terms of sensitisation, prevention, and public health education.”
Dr Mbeboh expressed optimism about working closely with the hospital’s medical team, including its matron and resident doctors, to strengthen preventive health initiatives in the community.
While outreach programs can bring medications, diagnostic tests, and specialised services, she emphasised that these interventions alone are not enough to guarantee long-term wellbeing.
“There are many things people can do themselves to stay healthy,” she explained. “Simple measures such as maintaining good hygiene, staying informed about vaccines, and ensuring children are vaccinated can prevent many diseases.”
Diaspora Support Driving the Initiative
The success of the health campaign has also highlighted the crucial role played by the diaspora community in supporting development initiatives back home. Emile Nkem (Mbe Fuajong), Treasurer of LECUDO-USA, said he travelled to Fontem this year specifically to witness firsthand how contributions from diaspora members are impacting lives.
“The stakes are high because people have contributed a lot of money to make this program possible,” he said. “As the gatekeeper of those funds, I wanted to see for myself how the goodwill of our people around the world is helping those on the ground.”
After observing the campaign in action, he described the experience as humbling. “I have been amazed by what I have seen,” he said. “People are coming from far and wide, even from Besali and Mamfe, just to benefit from the free healthcare being offered here.”
According to him, the diaspora community remains the backbone of the initiative. “They make this happen year after year,” he said. “Your money is working for the people. Do not stop contributing. The impact is real.”
Ntongamuah Ambrusia, Financial Secretary of LECUDO National and representative of the President-General, praised the range of services offered during the campaign. “I have gone around and seen the different departments,” she said. “All the services are present, and people are eager to be treated. It is wonderful.”
She also suggested that acquiring permanent medical equipment, such as ultrasound and dental machines, could further strengthen healthcare services in the area rather than relying on rented equipment during campaigns.
“Health is wealth,” she said. “If you are not healthy, it means you are poor. Initiatives like this are a blessing to the community.”
