Despite many challenges, the PAACS General Surgery residency remains alive and well at Mbingo Baptist Hospital in Cameroon. Case volumes fluctuate due to road closures and threats related to a protracted armed conflict in the region, yet patients continue to seek out care at Mbingo due to its longstanding reputation of excellence. Hospital staff embrace a level of risk simply by coming to work each day or when going to the city to run errands, yet the hospital has remained operational by the mercy of God since the conflict flared up eight years ago.
The residency program anticipates graduating four chief residents this year, the largest cohort of graduates in any year since the program began almost 2 decades ago. Four young attending surgeons, Dr. Nwegbu, Dr. Ngwang, Dr. Ngam, and Dr. Tankombo – all previous Mbingo graduates – are providing the backbone for the residency education, while Dr. Elit (gynecological oncology), Dr. Ngock (pediatric surgery), and Dr. Acha (ENT) have continued contributing to the robust multi-specialty clinical experience for the surgery residents. Orthopedic surgery experience is also offered to the junior residents, mostly through off-site rotations.
Other surgeons and related specialists also contribute invaluable teaching to the residents. Mbingo residents have participated in the ALL-SAFE laparoscopy training and research grant, and other research projects are also ongoing. The hospital is constructing a facility with a linear accelerator for radiation therapy which will likely boost the surgical case volumes and increase options for care of cancer patients. Residents regularly pray for patients and for each other throughout the course of their workweek.
Yet it seems clear to everyone involved that continued success is only possible by the gracious favor of God, and the “daily bread” of Jesus Christ is needed to nourish the soul of each PAACS participant. Let us pray diligently for our Mbingo colleagues to receive peace, wisdom, resources, physical protection, and joy.
“We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” (Romans 5)
Steve Doane, MD
PAACS Board Member, Member-at-Large (GS)
