By Boris Esono Nwenfor
FONTEM, PAV – The three-day free annual health campaign organised by LECUDO-USA, in collaboration with Mary Health of Africa Hospital and partners including Healing Beyond the Horizon, Life-Bridge International, Ntecka Lab, the Focolare Movement, has wrapped up with some forty surgeries conducted, in addition to the over one thousand five hundred patients consulted.
The campaign, which ran from Wednesday, March 11, to Friday, March 13, saw patients consulted for eye care, dental services, mental health, surgery, and general medicine, among others.
“If I had to describe the 2026 March health campaign organised by LECUDO- USA in one word, I would say it has been both successful and impactful,” Ben Fuaminka, CEO of LECUDO-USA, said. “The statistics speak for themselves, and I believe no one can deny the positive outcome of this year’s campaign.”
“This year we recorded about 40 surgical procedures, which is an increase compared to last year. We also included mental health services, which are very important given the impact of the crisis on our communities.”
A volunteer who took part in the recently concluded free health campaign expressed gratitude for the initiative while also calling for improved patient care and evaluation of volunteers in future editions.
“Personally, I am so grateful to be part of this event this year,” the volunteer said. “For the past years, I was really occupied, otherwise I would have always been present. I was groomed by this community, and I am totally part of it.”
The volunteer commended LECUDO-USA for its sustained commitment to improving healthcare access in the area, noting that the annual medical campaign has played a significant role in uplifting the community. “I think what this organisation has done for the past five years has uplifted this environment in a great way,” the volunteer added.
According to Ben Fuaminka, the organisation worked tirelessly to ensure that all departments were operational despite logistical challenges. “The type of services we were able to provide to beneficiaries, and the number of people who consulted and received treatment, show the impact of this campaign,” Fuaminka said.
“We ensured that all the departments we partnered with were up and running,” he said. “Even when some equipment was not available, we went the extra mile to borrow it.”
Fuaminka revealed that acquiring and transporting equipment for certain services came at a high cost to the organisation. He explained that without these diagnostic tools, many patients would not have been able to receive proper treatment.
“When laboratory tests are not done, patient care cannot move to the next level,” he said. “That is why we made sure the equipment was available.”
Despite the early difficulties, Fuaminka expressed satisfaction with the overall outcome of the campaign and appreciation for the dedication shown by volunteers and partners. “It is truly a pleasure to be part of this wonderful initiative,” he said. “I sincerely appreciate everyone who contributed to making it successful.”
The annual LECUDO-USA medical outreach, which is now in its fifth year, has become an important healthcare lifeline for inhabitants of Fontem and surrounding communities, many of whom face significant challenges accessing specialised medical services in urban centres.
