Laquintini Hospital guard, Paul David Nomo, hailed for returning missing FCFA 270,000

Paul David Nomo, a security guard at Laquintini Hospital in Douala, has become the talk of the town for his commendable act of honesty, in a context where honesty and integrity are rare to find, especially among young people.

The young man, who is in his twenties and a former “Cops” of the University of Yaounde I, returned a missing sum of FCFA 270,000, which he found while on duty.

The money belonged to a critically ill patient at the hospital.

The incident occurred three weeks ago when David was heading to call an ambulance around 8:30 a.m. As he walked back, a passerby pointed out a package on the ground.

Initially suspecting it might be a trap, David cautiously picked it up and discovered it was a pile of money totaling FCFA 270,000.

Despite never having seen such an amount before, he decided to do the right thing.

“But, I wanted to be honest. I called whoever showed me the package and we did the math together. I didn’t want my gesture to be misanalyzed and taken another turn once the surveillance cameras revealed the footage,” David is quoted recounting his story.

After counting the money, he took it to the hospital cashier, who instructed him to keep it temporarily.

Later, the Care Coordinator, informed about the situation, asked David to meet her in her office. After presenting the money and explaining the circumstances, the Care Coordinator congratulated him and secured the money.

“Furthermore, I just know that investigations have been conducted and the money has been returned to the concerned person,” David said.

He also received a personal thank you from the owner of the money. The hospital’s management and workers hailed his humanitarian act, with both Laquintini Hospital and the Ministry of Public Health sharing his exemplary story on their respective social media pages.

At Laquintini, medics say they now feel more secure when David is on duty.

“He’s a man with a big heart. It’s comforting to know there are still people like this around,” a nurse is quoted as saying.

“Many wouldn’t have given this money back. This is also proof that the hospital focuses on the morality of the people it employs. We now feel even safer with him,” the nurse added.

David’s act of honesty has made him a local hero, though it has also attracted mixed reactions.

Some colleagues praised his integrity, while others mocked him for not keeping the money. Nevertheless, David remains unshaken in his belief that honesty is paramount, a value instilled in him by his mother.

“I came here to work, help save lives. So, the actions, gestures that I’m doing shouldn’t contribute to harm the sick whom I’m supposed to protect and ensure safety,” he said.

“If I had kept this money, the person to whom the money was destined could have lost his life due to lack of care. And my mom always told me karma exists.”

David’s reputation for integrity extends beyond this incident. He is known for his professional rigor in enforcing hospital rules and ensuring a calm environment for patients and visitors alike.

Despite his challenging role, Laquintini Hospital acknowledged that he usually approaches his duties with politeness and patience, understanding the stress and pressure visitors often face.

David’s journey to becoming a security guard at Laquintini Hospital is marked by resilience.

After losing his job in a boiler facility in Douala and experiencing the loss of his brother at the hospital, he was encouraged by friends to apply for a position at Laquintini.

He was initially uncertainty about working in a hospital, but accepted the security guard role and has since become a valued member of the team.

David’s early life was not without challenges. Financial constraints forced him to abandon his studies at the University of Yaounde I, where he was pursuing a degree in economic sciences.

His first job as Chief of Staff at his uncle’s company also ended abruptly.

Despite these setbacks, David continues to dream big and remains hopeful for the future. On weekends, he indulges in his passion for football by attending local matches in Douala.

©Mimi Mefo Info