A new dawn is breaking for maternal and child healthcare in Cameroon, as the Mother and Child Centre of the Chantal Biya Foundation (CME-FCB) and the Biaka University Institute of Buea (BUIB) forge a groundbreaking partnership to reshape medical education and clinical practice in the country.
The partnership, formalized today, Wednesday, October 15, at the state-of-the-art CMEC headquarters in Yaoundé, marks a defining moment in the national effort to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. The signing ceremony brought together leading figures from both institutions, including Prof. Pierre Koki Ndombo, Director General of the Centre, represented the Chantal Biya Foundation, and Dr. Akom Delbert Afumbom, Technical Adviser to the President of the Biaka Group, represented Dr. Francisca Hongla Biaka, President and Vice Chancellor of BUIB. They were joined by Dr. Baiye William Abange, the Biaka Group’s liaison and technical consultant.
Founded by Cameroon’s First Lady, Madam Chantal Biya, the Mother and Child Centre stands as a symbol of compassion and innovation in healthcare delivery. Its partnership with BUIB, one of Cameroon’s leading higher institutes and Africa’s fastest-growing private universities renowned for its excellence in health sciences, represents a strategic alignment of vision and purpose.
Prof. Koki Ndombo noted during the ceremony that the partnership isn’t just a signature on paper; it’s a lifeline for thousands of families. He mentioned, “By opening our doors to BUIB’s School of Health Sciences students, we’re creating a bridge between theory and real-world impact.” These trainees will not only observe but also actively engage in life-saving procedures, from deliveries and neonatal care to complex pediatric interventions. This is how we build resilient healthcare systems for Cameroon and beyond.”
The newly signed convention will give BUIB students unprecedented access to the Mother and Child Centre’s advanced maternity wards, pediatric intensive care units, and research laboratories. Through immersive learning, they will shadow doctors during emergency C-sections, participate in maternal health research, and contribute to community outreach programs that serve some of Cameroon’s most vulnerable populations.
Dr. Akom Delbert Afumbom underscored the mutual benefit of the collaboration. “BUIB has always been committed to innovation and hands-on learning,” he noted. “This partnership with the Chantal Biya Foundation amplifies our mission to produce highly skilled professionals who will not only serve but also transform healthcare in our communities. Our graduates will be more than practitioners, they will be champions of maternal and child survival.”
Since its establishment, the Chantal Biya Foundation’s Mother and Child Centre has earned international recognition for its contributions to specialized maternal and pediatric care across Africa. Meanwhile, under Dr. Biaka Francisca’s visionary leadership, the Biaka University Institute of Buea continues to set new benchmarks in medical education and applied clinical training.
Coming at a time when Cameroon is navigating post-pandemic recovery and rising healthcare demands, this partnership symbolizes renewed hope and resilience. Experts in the room believe it could serve as a model for similar collaborations across the continent, driving the growth of “homegrown” medical expertise and redefining medical education and maternal care in Cameroon.
The ink may have dried on the agreement, but its impact is only beginning to unfold. Together, the Chantal Biya Foundation and the Biaka University Institute of Buea are not merely educating students; they are nurturing a new generation of healthcare warriors committed to ensuring that every mother and child in Cameroon receives the quality care they deserve.