Douala Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital : New Deputy Director General Takes Office

Following the Presidential decree of 13 August 2024 appointing Pr Calixte Ida Penda as Deputy Director General of the Douala Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital, the Minister of Public Health, Dr Manaouda Malachie, proceeded with the installation on Monday 9 September. The ceremony, which took place on the premises of the hospital, was a rare moment for the Minister to emphasise on respect for hierarchy. Pr Calixte Ida Penda is the first official to take up the position of Deputy Director General since the creation of the Douala Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital, despite its existence in the organisation chart of the institution.  During his installation, Dr Manaouda Malachie redefined the roles of the health facility and, by extension, its managers. He urged them to step up their efforts to improve the quality of patient care, optimise the hospital's resources and strengthen the medical teams.  The Minister called on everyone to be loyal, respectful, disciplined and to create a good working environment.
At the age of 64, Pr Calixte Ida Penda is an experienced paediatrician, a graduate of the Centre Universitaire des Sciences de la Santé de Yaoundé (CUSS), and also holds a Master's degree in Public Health, with a specialisation in International Health, from the Institute of Public Health, Epidemiology and Development, University of Bordeaux, France. She is a lecturer in Paediatrics at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy in Douala. Professionally, she has built up her expertise over the years in various positions of responsibility in different health facilities, including Head of the PM...