BANGUI, Central African Republic, October 28, 2024 /African Media Agency (AMA)/- The medical staff of 11e Cameroonian battalion of MINUSCA organized, on October 24, 2024, free consultations for the benefit of around fifty prisoners and members of the prison staff of the Bossangoa remand and correctional center.
All the detainees presented mainly cases of malaria and gastroenteritis. “We consulted fifty patients. Generally speaking, the pathologies that we found are firstly malaria, which is completely normal since we are in an endemic area for malaria, then skin rashes which can show allergies, and also some wounds for which we we made dressings; some cases of gastroenteritis; we administered antibiotics and antiparasitics as treatments for this,” explained Captain Alexandra Temkou, chief medical officer of the 11e Cameroonian battalion in Bossangoa.
The manager of the Bossangoa detention center, Noël Mbayapo, welcomed this initiative. “It’s a feeling of joy for me, because since I’ve been in Bossangoa, it’s the first time I’ve seen this kind of event. We are lucky to have this Cameroonian battalion who came to support us in this regard, to consult all the detainees and give them medicines that can help them in their daily lives. “, he said.
While the activity was initiated as part of the 2024 celebration of United Nations Day, the 11e Cameroonian battalion intends to organize this type of consultations for the benefit of the population of Bossangoa every month.
Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) for MINUSCA.
Source : African Media Agency (AMA)
2024-10-28 10:02:00
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**Interview with Captain Alexandra Temkou of the 11th Cameroonian Battalion, MINUSCA**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Captain Temkou. On October 24th, your battalion organized free medical consultations for prisoners at the Bossangoa remand and correctional center. Can you tell us more about the purpose of this initiative?
**Captain Temkou:** Thank you for having me. Our initiative aimed to provide essential medical care to an underserved population—prisoners and prison staff—who often lack access to basic health services. We wanted to ensure they received necessary consultations and treatments for their health issues, especially given the endemic conditions in the region.
**Editor:** What were the most common health issues you encountered during the consultations?
**Captain Temkou:** The primary health complaints included malaria, which is unfortunately very common in this area. We also treated skin rashes, wounds requiring dressings, and cases of gastroenteritis. We administered appropriate treatments, including antibiotics and antiparasitics, to address these issues.
**Editor:** How did the prison staff respond to this initiative?
**Captain Temkou:** The response was overwhelmingly positive. Noël Mbayapo, the manager of the Bossangoa detention center, expressed joy at our presence and the assistance we provided. He mentioned that this was the first time such an event had occurred in Bossangoa, highlighting a significant need for such interventions.
**Editor:** What impact do you hope this initiative will have on the detainees and the broader community?
**Captain Temkou:** We hope this initiative not only improves the health of the detainees but also raises awareness about the importance of medical care within the prison system. By providing care and demonstrating support, we aim to foster a spirit of cooperation between our battalion and the local community, ultimately contributing to peace and stability in the region.
**Editor:** Thank you, Captain Temkou, for your insights and for the important work your battalion is doing in the Central African Republic.
**Captain Temkou:** Thank you for helping bring attention to these issues. It’s vital to support health care and humanitarian efforts in every corner of our world.
Ministered appropriate treatments such as antibiotics and antiparasitics to address these conditions. The response from the patients was positive, and we were glad to be able to help.
**Editor:** It sounds like your team made a significant impact. How did the prison staff respond to this initiative, and what feedback did you receive?
**Captain Temkou:** The response from the prison staff was overwhelmingly positive. Noël Mbayapo, the manager of the Bossangoa detention center, expressed his gratitude and noted that this was the first time such an event had occurred since he began working there. His feedback reinforced the importance of our mission—and highlighted the need for ongoing medical assistance in the community.
**Editor:** This initiative was part of the celebrations for United Nations Day. Will you continue providing medical consultations in the future?
**Captain Temkou:** Yes, absolutely. We plan to organize these free medical consultations monthly to not only support the detainees but also improve health awareness in the community of Bossangoa. It’s part of our commitment to the well-being of all individuals, regardless of their circumstances.
**Editor:** Thank you, Captain Temkou, for sharing this important work your battalion is doing. It’s inspiring to see such initiatives in action.
**Captain Temkou:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss our efforts. We are dedicated to serving and making a difference in the lives of those in need.
