Paramedical staff strike!

A recent visit to the Yaoundé Central Hospital (CHU) left me profoundly puzzled and disturbed. A hospital is rarely a joyful place where one can find comfort, but the feeling I had was beyond uneasy. There was a mix of emotions circulating, and those I felt most present were anger and frustration. Since I wasn’t in a situation where I could ask too many questions, I decided to be patient and get my answers another time. A few days later, back at the PROTEGE QV office, I began my search with the Internet. I typed ‘nurses*Cameroon’, and my suspicions were confirmed.

On Monday, April 19^th 2010, a few brave paramedical staff from the Gamot and Central hospitals in Yaoundé went on strike. At the entrance of the hospitals, with placards and information pamphlets in hand, they voiced their concerns and grievances over poor working conditions and improper work compensations. They spoke of the negligent or free treatment given to patients, the lack of work and holiday benefits and premiums, as well as the contested age of retirement, which is legally 60 but some leave at 50 or 55.

The resistance of nurses to continue to work under poor conditions has roots in years of broken promises from the Ministry of Health, doctor’s negligence, control or abuse of power and the general misuse of hospital funds. Is it natural to be asked if one has a thermometer upon arrival at the hospital? This is a most basic, need I mention reusable, resource but one a patient has to buy at the Yaoundé Central hospital. Where does the money go? Where does the money go when nurses get paid 30 000 FCFA (60$) to 80 000 FCFA (162$) per month for their work? Or when there is a ratio of 2500 patients per nurse in Cameroon according to a recent national census?

The strike was suspended because of lack of national coordination. For one, the minister of health was not in Cameroon at the time, therefore no decisions could be made. Whether union presidents, government representatives, hospital staff, everyone was stranded on their own island, not able to exert any influence over the issue. The absence from those at the top of the hierarchy of decision making when nurse’s voice concerns not only perpetuates the problem they face but insults their efforts to improve their living and working conditions.

I’m not finished my investigation of this situation, but I leave you with the surface scratched.

I also wrote a poem for brave nurses in Cameroon and everywhere, brace yourselves, I’m no poet.

a choice to unveil your eyes to hell on earth

using hands to listen to bodily screams

to act, you lessen the burden

thank you

awake for more than the sun can handle

breathing slowly during a scarce silence

to persist, you save a life

thank you

concentrating on healing with might

handling cutting instruments to frightened eyes

to harden, you demonstrate courage

thank you

countless failiures to meet your demands

working eight months with pay owed to you

to resist, you strike

thank you