Day: March 20, 2024

By Stephen TADAHA

Access to dental health in Cameroon remains a critical issue as studies indicate that 95% of children aged 3-18 years have never visited a dentist while only 23% of them brush their teeth at least twice a day according to a study recently carried out in the West Region of Cameroon by the American based international medical statistical journal, PubMed.

On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, the world commemorated World Oral Health Day under the theme ‘A happy mouth is a happy body’ with a call to raise awareness about the importance of good oral health given that everyone deserves access to quality oral health care and the knowledge needed to maintain a healthy mouth.

Dr. Noubissi Sona a dentist at the Babadjou Medical Centre defines Oral health as the absence of pathogens in our oral cavity.

Dental caries and gingivitis are the most common diseases linked to oral health as told us by the dentist.

‘Dental caries is one of the most common infections in the oral cavity, followed by gingivitis and
also oral cancer but the most recurring one is dental caries,’ he said.

To prevent these diseases, one is recommended to visit a dentist at least once a year and brush the teeth at least two or three times a day with a toothbrush and its accessories, the expert furthered.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), oral diseases are among the most common non-communicable diseases in the African region and can occur throughout life, leading to pain, disfigurement, social isolation, distress, and even death. Cameroon regrettably has only one dental surgeon per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to 66 in France, which is a major barrier for most inhabitants of rural areas to access dental care

According to figures from the National Order of Medical Doctors in Cameroon, 70% of children and youths suffer from oral health-related diseases and tooth decay is the most common oral health disease.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

By Eratus Ndueh

The president of the Cameroon Human Rights Commission (CDHC), James Mouangue Kobila, has filed a complaint against his former chief of staff, Judith Esperance Nkouete Messah, for wrongfully accusing him of sexual harassment, private outrage of modesty, conditional threats, blackmail, light injuries and defamation on March 15, 2024.

According to Koaci, an internal CDHC source confirmed that the accusations of Judith Esperance were made at a time when she was informed that she would be referred to the institution’s disciplinary council for ‘serious breaches’ and ‘gross professional misconduct.’

While legal actions were underway, the NGO Mandela Center denounced ‘serious ethical abuses’ and a theatricalization of the CDHC allegations by its president.

Judith made the revelation during an interview with an online television, Naja TV. However, summoned before the judge on February 6 and March 5 respectively, the president of the CDHC did not appear. He is expected back in court on May 7 for a d
ifferent hearing in the case.

He is also reportedly suing journalist Brand Kamga of Naja TV and Wesleg Nanse, CEO of Naja International Group for complicity in defamation in the recent TV interview. They are all expected at the Yaoundé Court of First Instance on April 2, 2024.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) for Meme, Chamberlain Ntou’ ou Ndong, said the people of Bakundu deserve a first class chiefdom and that will be done soon.

The SDO stated, he will work in collaboration with a united Bakundu people to ensure the realization of a First Class Chiefdom to the Bantu group.

He made the assurance on Sunday, March 17 2024 in Bombe Bakundu, during the 42nd Congress of the Bakundu Cultural and Development Union (BACDU).

Reacting to the Welcome address of BACDU President, Chief Justice Benjamin Mutanga Itoe, Nganga Mataka Wa Bakundu, Chamberlain Ntou’ou Ndong urged the Bakundu People to ensure and use even mystical powers to overpower Separatist fighters. He however pleaded with the people to cajole and persuade the fighters to respond to the calls of the head of State to lay down their weapons.

The Bakundu People on their part used the event to solicit for the creation of a Bombe Subdivision.

The Bakundu people, despite being one of the oldest and most populated ethnicity in M
eme Division, counting 37 Chiefdoms, can only bost of One second Class Chiefdom being Kake 1 Bongwana.

The BACDU Congress in Bombe was the first to be held since the outbreak of the Anglophone Crisis. The cultural event was held under the theme; ‘Revival, Unity and Development’. It was aimed at uniting the different factions of the tribe, as the Issue of the Paramount ruler has been a dividing factor to the people.

In one of the resolutions arrived at the end of the event, the people pledge to work in Uniting for a stronger Bakundu.

Source: Cameroon News Agency