Cameroon Nurses Association

 

Ground Breaking 9^th Scientific Conference Rounds up in Douala!

By Francis Ekongang Nzante

The Cameroon Nurses Association CNA has rounded up a ground breaking 9^th Scientific Conference which took place at the Institute Universite de la Cote IUG Douala from the 25^th to the 26^th of March 2022. This year’s Scientific Conference took place under the theme "Nurses breaking down barriers; leaving no one behind". The two day conference was spiced by an unprecedented multiplicity of activities. That’s why this year’s rendezvous has been described as ground breaking. The activities ranged from an Honourable Presentation from Professor Mary Bi Atanga and a couple of presentations on “Clinical Nursing Practice”, “Administrative Nursing Practice”, and Educational Nursing Practice.” There were also Panel Discussions and Workshops.

Another important ingredient of this year’s Scientific Conference was the issuing of Awards and Recognitions. This saw Professor Atanga Mary  being recognised for her intellectual contributions and Support  to the CNA. Mr Takwe Boniface was also recognised for his impact during this year’s conference. Mr. Fongang Landis was recognised as the Most constructive moderator while the best student Presenter came from AHIBTS Douala. Ideal Nurses Association (INA) had the best stand while the Best Stand Presentation went to MAFLEKUM Higher Institute of Health and Biomedical Sciences Tiko. Meantime the Best Institutional Presentation was done by the University of Bamenda UBa while the best Organisational Presentation was done by the Alpha Global Research Group (AGRG) Douala.

In a keynote address presented by Mr Nkwain Joseph, the National President of CNA, attention was drawn to the fact that the Cameroon Nurses Association gained legal recognition on the 16h of February 2001.  This association was accorded membership into the Commonwealth Nurses Federation in 2001. The National President intimated that the association was created to organize and unite nurses in Cameroon to work in Love and harmony, improve standards of professional practice through continuing education and research and thirdly to assist the Ministry of Public health and the government in developing and implementing National Health Policies.

It was also intended to serve as a forum where nurses and midwives could clarify their roles assertively within the health care team and to empower nurses develop leadership role in health matters.

Since its creation, the CNA has promoted the image of the nurse through assistance of its members to improve their professional and socio-economic status.

The National President also said that the association had succeeded in fostering cooperation between national and international Non-Governmental Organisations especially the Common Wealth Nurses and Midwives Federation and the International Council of Nurses.

An indicator that CNA has grown in leaps and bounds is its membership which has moved from 35 members in 2001 to 3500 in 2022 coupled with the fact that it is spread all over the national territory and abroad.

CNA has as members all grades of nurses ranging from Nursing Assistants who are associate members, State

Diploma Nurses, , HND Nurses, holders of Bachelors in Nursing science, Masters and PhD, who are full members.

Out of the country,members of the association have benefited from conferences organized by the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation in Abuja, Accra and Kampala.

Three Cameroonians, the President of CNA, President of the Midwives Association, and Prof. Mary Bi Atanga attended the African Health Professions Regional Collaboration for West and Central Africa.

Back home, as far as continuing professional development is concerned, the CNA in collaboration with the Alpha Higher Institute of Health, Douala, has been organising continuos professional development workshops.

After this ground breaking conference in Douala, all roads will be leading to the University of Bamenda UBa where the next CNA Scientific Conference will be taking place.

 

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