The Cameroonian medical community is mourning and the public is demanding answers on the tragic death of Doctor Mbengono Barbara Nancy Hilary epse Etoundi, a 33-year-old resident physician, during childbirth at the Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital (CHU) on February 4, 2026.
Dr. Mbengono was not just another patient; she was a promising physician who represented the future of Cameroonian medicine. At the time of her death, she was the President of the Association of Residents and Interns of the Yaoundé Faculty of Medicine (ARMIS) and was a specialist in training (SP3) in Hepato-gastroenterology.
Colleagues describe her as a hardworking, discreet, and dedicated doctor who was driven by a sense of public service.
An “Unbearable Paradox” and an Avoidable Tragedy
Her death has been described by peers as an “unbearable paradox”—a caregiver succumbing in the very institution where she should have received the highest standard of care.
While her newborn baby survived, colleagues and family state the price was a life sacrificed on the altar of negligence and institutional failure.
According to accounts from the medical community, Dr. Mbengono’s pregnancy had been followed smoothly.
However, the chain of care allegedly collapsed during delivery. Reports suggest that the supervising doctor was unavailable, delegating the case to a colleague, who reportedly entrusted the procedure to student doctors.
Faced with a complicated nuchal cord (umbilical cord around the baby’s neck), the situation reportedly descended into panic, leading to rushed decisions.
A cesarean section was performed but was poorly managed, resulting in a massive hemorrhage. Critically, blood bags needed to address the hemorrhage were reportedly brought too late to be effective.
A Cry for Justice and an Official Investigation
The circumstances have sparked outrage, with colleagues and relatives questioning how the a president of the interns’ association die from a ‘medical blunder’.
In response to mounting questions, the Cameroon Medical Council (CMC) has announced a formal investigation. In a communiqué dated February 9, 2026, the ONMC expressed deep sorrow and extended condolences to Dr. Mbengono’s family and the medical community.
The CMC stated that “in light of the questions raised by the circumstances of her care,” an investigation will be opened on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
The aims are to determine the exact chronology of events and care protocols applied; verify that the care provided adhered to current scientific standards; and provide clear answers to protect the honor of the profession and the credibility of healthcare facilities.
The ONMC has requested full cooperation from the CHU management for access to the medical file and personnel involved, pledging an impartial and rigorous investigation.
The body reiterated its commitment to defending patient dignity in accordance with medical law.
The case has cast a harsh light on systemic challenges within Cameroon’s healthcare system, including resource allocation, supervision protocols, and patient safety.