Bamenda: Public Health delegate takes swift action in wake of attempted child theft
By Stephen Tadaha
The North West Regional Delegate of Public Health, Dr. Ambe Lionel, has taken action following an attempted baby theft at the Nkwen District Hospital in Bamenda.
Dr. Ambe on Tuesday April 29, 2025, commended the hospital staff, particularly the security guard, for their vigilance which led to the interception the young woman. This was during a visit at the hospital where he got in touch with the traumatized mother, offering comfort and instructing the director not to charge her at discharge.
The Regional Delegate also raised concerns about traders and the local council using hospital land, posing security risks.
It is worth noting that a young woman disguised as a medical personnel and attempted to steal a baby from the maternity ward on Monday April 28, 2025. She was caught by a vigilant security guard at the hospital gate who noticed she didn’t follow procedures for exiting with a newborn. The suspect’s actions were thwarted, but not before she caused distress to the mother, who was traumatized.
This case of child theft was thwarted thanks to some security parameters used at the health facility notably the badge-based entry system for sensitive wards, mandatory registration at the gate, compulsory hospital-issued badges and uniforms with color codes, Infant ID bands matched with mother’s during transfers and discharges.
