The population of Mamfe have staged a protest against atrocities committed by separatist fighters. Hundreds of them took to the streets lately, to condemn the act of kidnapping for ransom, and killing of their family members. The most recent atrocity committed by separatist fighters is the burning down of the Mamfe District Hospital. To them this act is unacceptable and must be condemned.
“How can they burn down a hospital which takes care of patients, where will we treat ourselves when we fall sick, we are here to say no to such an act” says Delia an inhabitant.
“Our parents are suffering; we are constantly been kidnapped we are tired and need intervention” she added.
Several elites and organizations have strongly condemned the act and organized crisis meetings. Victor Arrey Mengot Minister of special duties at the presidency of the Republic, chaired a crisis meeting where he expressed dissatisfaction over the incidence.
“We are very shocked that a facility which is community good be subject of such attack, every son and daughter of Manyu Division condemns this act. It is something unheard of, we know that even in times of war hospitals and ambulances are a no-go area. If someone is fighting a war, hospitals should not be touched we condemn such barbaric action.”
The Humanitarian Coordinator and interim in Cameroon strongly condemned the destruction of the Mamfe District Hospital. According to a statement published lately they said.
“A non-state armed group (NSAG) on June 8 reportedly carried out an attack in the locality of Egbekow and in the event, the hospital was also set on fire and destroyed. All patients had to be transferred to other medical centers.The Mamfe District hospital is covering more than 85000 people living in the area.The hospital serves as main medical reference, covering medical needs of remote areas in Manyu Division.Its destruction will deprive people of urgently needed care and further weaken the local health system.
There have been at least five attacks against health care sine January 2022.The crisis in the North West and South West Region has seen a large number of attacks on health care, with health workers or patients threatened, abducted, injured or killed, as well as medical infrastructure damaged or destroyed.
Attacks on health care workers, patients and facilities are serious violations of international human rights law, they must be investigated and perpetrators must be held to account” said the Humanitarian Coordinator.
“Health care workers are every day saving the lives of thousands of people and must be allowed to work without fear or concern for their safety, or that of their patients he added”.
The Humanitarian coordinator in Cameroon calls on all parties to protect health care and refrain from hindering access to medical services. The humanitarian community remains mobilized to support affected population in the Region.”
Doctors without borders have equally condemned the act.
“This unprecedented attack on a hospital of vital importance will have a major impact on people in that region, where access to health care is already been gravely impacted by years of violence says Sylvain Groulx MSF’s operational manager for Central Africa. As we wait for further information on the attack, and its consequences for hospitalized patients MSF strongly condemns this aggression.”
‘’ This attack will further affect our ability to resume our medical activities in the area after we had to suspend them 2 months ago,” he added.