Growing up in Muteff village, Fundong Subdivision, Boyo Division, North West Region, Cameroon, in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, everyone – including unborn children – knew that the moment a stick or branch was placed in front of a household where a patient with a chronic or mysterious illness lay, it was a signal that the house was off-limits to visitors, ordinary family members, and even some people within the compound where the patient was being cared for. Not even the village soothsayer, healer, or traditional ruler could enter the household without authorization. Even when authorized, they had to be accompanied by a close family member or relation.
By Colbert Gwain in Cameroon
This caution was rooted in the village’s collective assumption that, in such circumstances, one needed to tread with care. Everyone had to be vigilant, as the situation was deemed precarious. Based on historical evidence, close family members knew that entering such a home alone, even with good intentions, could lead to unintended consequences. There was a risk that the patient could be further harmed or even silenced, preventing them from speaking out against anyone who might have mysteriously placed a curse on them.
In many African traditional belief systems, the placement of a stick or branch served several purposes. Just like in Muteff, it was meant to ward off evil spirits and malevolent energies and prevent unauthorized outsiders from visiting the patient, as they might bring negative energy or curses. The stick or branch also signaled to the community that the household was dealing with a sensitive and potentially contagious issue. Most importantly, it was an invitation to ancestral spirits or deities to intervene and assist in the healing process. At such moments, the designated caregivers took their responsibilities seriously and full-time. They would often sit in shifts at the entrance of the household, keeping a vigilant eye on the surroundings while closely monitoring the situation of the patient.
With the passage of time and the advent of modernism and conventional medicine, the equivalent of the African traditional stick or branch has become the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in hospitals or the oxygen tank placed beside a critically ill patient. Just as it is established protocol that doctors and nurses do not enter patients’ rooms without the assigned caregivers or immediate family members present, it defies comprehension that a so-called pastor or brainwashed revivalist Christian was given the liberty to freely commune with a chronically ill patient without anyone noticing that he was overstepping boundaries by tampering with medical equipment, including the oxygen mask. This shocking incident occurred last Sunday, December 15, 2024, at the Bamenda Regional Hospital, resulting in the untimely death of the 54-year-old patient.
Following a statement issued by the Director of the Bamenda Regional Hospital, Dr. Nsame Denis, on Monday, December 16, 2024, nurses and doctors at the hospital promptly responded to the emergency. Unfortunately, despite their swift efforts, it was already too late to save the patient. This incident raises more questions than answers, particularly regarding the deadly consequences of unchecked power and the intrusion of Pentecostalism and spiritual healing into the conventional medical sphere. It also highlights concerns about patient safety in all Cameroonian hospitals.
Furthermore, this incident draws attention to the presence of self-proclaimed spiritual healers from questionable sources who frequent hospitals, especially on Sundays. In contrast, regular hospital chaplains from recognized churches, such as the Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Full Gospel churches in Cameroon, operate without explicit regulations. Given the vital role they play in providing spiritual and emotional support to patients, families, and healthcare workers, their work must be formally integrated into the healthcare system.
The Bamenda Regional Hospital incident highlights the urgent need for hospitals across the country to conduct regular education and awareness-raising campaigns. These Professionalization campaigns should target caregivers, hospital chaplains, and visiting Christian groups, emphasizing the critical importance of refraining from touching or tampering with medical equipment or oxygen tanks in patient wards, particularly in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
One potential solution to enhance patient safety is the installation of CCTV cameras in hospital rooms. These cameras can provide real-time monitoring, enabling hospital staff to respond promptly to emergencies and prevent potential harm. CCTV cameras can also serve as a deterrent to misconduct, as individuals are more likely to behave appropriately when they know they are being monitored.
However, the installation of CCTV cameras in hospital rooms must be carefully considered, taking into account the potential impact on patients’ right to privacy. A human rights impact assessment (HRIA) is essential to ensure that the benefits of CCTV cameras are balanced against potential risks to patients’ privacy and autonomy.
A comprehensive HRIA would involve several stages: including, identification of potential impacts; assessing the potential effects of CCTV cameras on patients’ rights, including the right to privacy, autonomy, and dignity; assessment of risks and benefits which includes the weighing of the potential benefits of CCTV cameras (e.g., enhanced patient safety, improved caregiver accountability) against potential risks (e.g., erosion of patient privacy, increased stress or anxiety); consultation with stakeholders, which includes engaging with patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders to gather feedback and insights on the proposed installation of CCTV cameras; and development of mitigation strategies, which includes identifying measures to minimize potential negative impacts, such as ensuring cameras are positioned to minimize intrusion, implementing secure data storage and access protocols, and providing clear guidelines for camera usage.
By conducting a thorough HRIA, hospitals can ensure that the installation of CCTV cameras is done in a way that respects patients’ rights while enhancing their safety and well-being.
The incident at the Bamenda Regional Hospital also highlights the need for collaborative healthcare that balances faith and evidence-based medicine. The rise of Pentecostalism and other charismatic Christian movements has led to a growing number of spiritual leaders who emphasize faith healing and miraculous interventions. While faith can be a powerful tool for comfort and solace, it’s essential to recognize the limitations of faith healing and the importance of scientific evidence-based medicine.
To address this issue, it’s essential to: promote science-based education by encouraging education and critical thinking about scientific evidence-based medicine; fostering collaboration between faith leaders and healthcare professionals through the encouragement of dialogue and collaboration between faith leaders and healthcare professionals to promote a more nuanced understanding of the role of faith in healthcare; and developing policies and guidelines for faith-based healing practices through the establishment of clear policies and guidelines for faith-based healing practices in hospitals and healthcare settings.
Ultimately, finding a balance between respecting individuals’ faith and promoting evidence-based medicine is crucial. By working together, we can ensure that patients receive comprehensive care that addresses their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
In conclusion, last Sunday’s tragic incident at the Bamenda Regional Hospital serves as a wake-up call for hospitals and healthcare providers across Cameroon to re-examine their policies and procedures. The installation of CCTV cameras in hospital rooms, combined with collaborative healthcare that balances faith and evidence-based medicine, can help prevent similar incidents in the future. By prioritizing patient safety and well-being, we can ensure that patients receive the best possible care, while respecting their rights and dignity.
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