Health: Onco-Hematology Facility Available

The Douala General Hospital now has a new Onco-Hematology Facility. Designed to strengthen the hospital's technical capacity in the fight against cancer, it was inaugurated by the Minister of Public Health, Dr. Manaouda Malachie, on Friday April 10, 2026.

The new Onco-Hematology Centre for integrated management of cancers at the Douala General Hospital has a laboratory (molecular biology/hematology), blood bank (blood products and apheresis), outpatient unit (hematology consultations) and hospitalization unit (protected unit, conventional hospitalization, secure reconstitution of cytostatic drugs).

During the inauguration, Manaouda Malachie said the new building and final structural setup will enable the hospital to expand its ability to manage complex cancer cases more effectively. He explained that the project is part of a broader effort to build a "complete chain" for cancer care locally, reducing limitations created by insufficient infrastructure and specialized equipment.

One of the most notable improvements involves a specialized machine that can produce "platelet concentrate" directly, a critical component for patient care. Minister Manaouda disclosed that the new Onco-Hematology Centre is currently unique in Cameroon and is expected to significantly improve the quality and responsiveness of care for patients who require platelet transfusions.

He added that they have already requested technical specifications for the equipment, with the goal of enabling other major hospitals, including facilities in Garoua and Yaoundé, to benefit as well. He also mentioned plans to consider additional capacity at the Douala General Hospital, including the possibility of acquiring a second unit.

Beyond the Onco-Hematology Centre, the Minister also visited the medical imaging extension building incorporating magnetic resonance imaging equipment (1.5 Tesla MRI). The extension work on the ...