MTN Foundation donates to leprosy patients

In line with the celebration of the 61stedition of World Leprosy Day, the MTN Foundation has offered a significant donation to victims of leprosy.

The MTN Foundation, leader in Corporate Social Responsibility in Cameroon, on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 January 2015, handed a significant donation of medications, basic foodstuffs and hygiene equipment to two leprosy centers in the localities of Mactaba located between Koutaba and Foumban in the West region, and Dibamba, situated in BWANG Bakoko, an area located some twenty kilometers from the Douala urban centre, Littoral region.

In Mactaba, Friends of the MTN Foundation were accompanied by Princess Rabiatou Njoya, Trustee Member of the MTN Foundation.

The support by the MTN Foundation to leprosy victims is in line with the celebration of the 61stedition of World Leprosy Day last 25 January 2015.

According to a release from Massey Njiti BONGANG, Corporate Communications Manager, MTN Cameroon, Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the Mycobacterium Leprae bacterium which destroys skin tissues and mycoses as well as peripheral nerve cells thereby causing deformations and mutilations of some body parts and the skin.

In Cameroon, according to her, the disease has considerably dropped and the country is now under the seal of the WHO standard, that is, less than a case for ten thousand inhabitants. However, statistics remain high in some districts and the mobilisation by all social stakeholders to eradicate this chronic illness and support to victims become a priority.

To justify MTN Foundation’s deployment in favour of lepers, the Executive Secretary, Mr. Jean-Melvin AKAM declared: “In 2015, the MTN Foundation shall continue providing concrete solutions to major health issues because the welfare of communities and support to the vulnerable population remain our constant concern”.

Dibamba Leprosy Centre

The Dibamba Leprosy Centre, situated some twenty kilometres from the Douala urban centre at the area known as BWANG Bakoko is a reference centre for the treatment of leprosy in Cameroon.

The centre was created in 1954 and has been managed since then by missionaries. The Dibamba Leprosy Centre has about 100 inmates.

Equipment that were offered to the leprosy centre are made of: Medical equipment (Hydrophilic gauze in kg, Cotton in Kg, absorbent dressing pad, Alcohol 5l, oxygenated water-tubes of 500 ml, Baneocin powder, Velpeau bandage 15 cm, Surgery gloves: 7.5…)

Hygiene equipment and maintenance (Bucket and floor rags, Bleach water, machine washing powder, bin with cover…) and Food stuffs (Beans, Groundnuts, Tapioca, Milk, Tins of sardine, Rice, Oil, Sugar, Salt…)

Koutaba Leprosy Centre

The Leprosy Integrated Health Centre of Koutaba,commonly known as Koutaba Leprosy Centre is in the Mactaba locality situated between Koutaba and Foumban in the West region.

Created more than ten years ago, the Centre has been managed since then by missionaries. The Koutaba Leprosy Centre has about 30 inmates.

Equipment that were offered to the leprosy centre are made of Medical equipment (Tensiometre, glucometer, Hydrophilic gauze in kg, Cotton in Kg, absorbent dressing pad, Alcohol 5l, oxygenated water-tubes of 500 ml, Baneocin powder, Velpeau bandage 15 cm, Surgery gloves: 7.5 , Hygiene equipment and maintenance (Buckets, bleach water,) and Food stuffs (Beans, Groundnuts, Tapioca, Milk, Tins of sardine, Rice, Oil, Sugar, Salt)