Description
Tolani E
History of the hospital
“ The WCC with the Bishop and the diocesan community, did not want to make another dispensary, but to open a house where the sick, even the poorest, feel welcome â€
Don francesco Pedretti
The history of Saint-Luc de Mbalmayo hospital is that of the gradual transformation of an infirmary created in 1963 by Mgr Paul ETOGA, 1st Bishop of the Diocese of Mbalmayo.
The vocation of this infirmary from 1963 to 1969 was to provide care to seminarians. At that time, only a nun, known as Sister Francisca, worked in the infirmary.
In 1970, at the request of Bishop Paul ETOGA, Father Francesco PEDRETTI, founder of the Centro Orientamento Educativo (COE) sent three Italian young ladies to carry out a health action program in the infirmary centered around the training of parish animators, the health animation, advanced strategies and care for seminarians. These three young volunteers were: Lisetta BIANCHI, Pia AIROLDI and Maria Elisa COMBI.
On March 24, 1973, in view of its new missions, the infirmary changed its name to become the Saint-Luc Dispensary.
In 1974, Ndzié Marie Madeleine and Onyia Colette, two midwives who had gone to Italy for training through the WCC, returned to strengthen the clinic team. With their arrival, prenatal consultations and vaccinations have developed.
Paramedical team in 1986
On August 14, 1984, following the transformation of the dispensary into a developed health center, new services were added such as the maternity ward and the laboratory. At the same time, the dispensary changed location.
Between 1995 and 1996, thanks to the Japanese doctor, Prof. Hideo MASUDA, the Ophthalmology service was set up and the Dispensary gained fame beyond national borders.
On July 18, 1997, in view of the affluence and the diversification of its services, the dispensary, after representations to the Cameroonian Ministry of Public Health, was set up as a Private Catholic Hospital.
Between 2010 and 2012, the WCC initiated a major restructuring of the Hospital. This restructuring covers infrastructure works, re-equipment, staff requalification and modernization of the management system.
From 1963 to the present day, the Saint-Luc de Mbalmayo Hospital has received the support of a large number of doctors, local and expatriate volunteers, as well as the support of several organizations which have worked for its development and its influence.