Foumban: How Youth-Led Free Health Campaign Brought Relief, Hope to Thousands

By Njodzeka Kernyuy 

Through the “Foumban 2026 Health Campaign” initiative, Young Peuple (YP), a youth-focused non-profit founded by Amatullah Ndam Njoya, has offered one week of free specialised healthcare to inspire future medical professionals in the Noun Division.

The initiative was conducted in partnership with the Medical Students Association (UDEMSA).

Over six intensive days, the initiative mobilised dozens of general practitioners, specialists, and medical students across seven simultaneous sites: the Centre Médical Maternité de Njinka, as well as health sites in Koupa, Koundoum, Njiketnkie, Mambain, Koukouet, and Njimom, to help bridge a critical healthcare gap in the Noun Division.

The warm reception was immediately visible in the turnout. From as early as 6:00 am, patients gathered to register, undergo basic screening, and receive specialised consultations. Specialists present included ophthalmologists, dentists, surgeons from Ascovime, dermatologists, and also healthcare partners from Best Healthcare India.

For months, a severe and relentless toothache had turned the simple act of eating into a daily ordeal for Moundi Mama (not his real name). “I can’t eat properly with this tooth. There are times when I can’t even sleep because this tooth hurts me,” he said.

Relief finally came when volunteer dentist, Dr Hemridge Achu Njuakeh, treated his teeth and provided post-care medication, restoring not just his smile but also his ability to live without pain, without costing him a single CFA franc.

The campaign received significant civic backing when the Mayor of Foumban, Hermine Patricia Tomaïno Ndam Njoya, paid an official visit to the Njinka site, touring the various consultation stations and commending the seamless collaboration between the youth-led organisations and local authorities.

The campaign’s impact extended beyond medical treatments to nurture the division’s future talent. On Saturday, August 15, Young Peuple (YP) hosted a mentorship panel at the Maison de la Culture in Foumban titled “Tu rêves de devenir docteur, pharmacien, infirmière?”

Over 20 high school students and aspiring candidates gathered to engage with practising doctors, pharmacists, and medical students. The panel shared practical guidance on preparing for competitive entrance examinations (concours), surviving rigours of university training, and exploring diverse career pathways in public health, research, and health technology. For many attendees, the session was life-changing: “I finally have the clarity I needed about the path to follow in medicine, thanks to Young Peuple, which brought these doctors together to guide us,” shared one inspired student after the mentorship session.

For the participating health professionals, the campaign was both a demanding clinical exercise and a deeply personal mission.

“Seeing the immediate impact of our work on patients who had been suffering in silence for months reminded us why we chose medicine,” noted Dr Abi Edmund, one of the consulting specialists.

Reflecting on YP’s inaugural humanitarian outing, Amatullah Ndam Njoya emphasised that the Foumban 2026 Health Campaign marks the beginning of a sustained commitment to civic action, proving that young people can mobilise concrete solutions to grassroots community challenges.

As the six-day campaign drew to an end, the relief felt by patients like Moundi Mama served as a reminder of what youth-led community solidarity can achieve.

Young Peuple (YP) continues to advocate for more sustainable youth-led humanitarian actions in Cameroon.