Called by the “Master of life”, and in the footsteps of our foundresses to be at the same time “sowers” and “seed”, we live our missionary charism with passion, announcing the Gospel to the ends of the earth, “towards the peripheries”, as Pope Francis recalled.
Here, however, in the suburbs, this announcement takes shape above all through concrete action, as Saint John teaches us:
“Do not love only in words, but in deeds and in truth”. (1Jn 3,18)
25 years ago our sisters were sensitive to the pastoral concern of Monsignor Jean Zoa, then metropolitan archbishop of Yaoundé, who, in his pastoral orientations – particularly with regards to human development and promotion – constantly reiterated that health constitutes one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion or economic and social condition. For this reason, in each of her pastoral visits to Biyem-Assi, Etoug-Ebé and Mendong, she never ceased to draw the attention of our sisters to the need to think about a Catholic medical facility in this part of Yaoundé. The city was in fact experiencing a strong demographic development without adequate and proportionate support in the provision of health care.
History testifies that the response of our Congregation to the missionary appeal of Monsignor Zoa took shape on November 20, 2000, under the guidance of Sr. Rita Manzoni and sr. Hilda Castelino, who allowed the concrete construction of a special building: the Maria Immacolata Health Center.
At the beginning, the services offered were limited to basic necessities. However, the increase in requests and the competition from the numerous health centers that have sprung up almost everywhere have led us over the years, thanks to the concern and generosity of our benefactors, to modernize our structure and diversify the offer of health services.
Since then our statistics indicate that more than one million people have been cared for by our center.
This celebration is also an opportunity for us to express the profound gratitude we have for all those who have dedicated themselves and continue to generously dedicate themselves to the care of every patient who crosses the threshold of this facility. It is their numerous sacrifices in the exercise of their profession that have given our Health Center the reputation and greatness that it is recognized today, so much so that we are currently in a process of transformation from a health center to a medical center.
Our gratitude goes to all the sisters who managed this Center, in particular Sr. Rita Manzoni and sr. Hilda Castelino who had the courage to start this work. Also to all our benefactors, who helped us provide the Center with the necessary material for each service. Constant gratitude also goes to the local parish priests and vicars, who with profound dedication accompany our patients and our staff on the spiritual journey. To the bishops who have succeeded at the helm of the Archdiocese of Yaoundé, from Monsignor Jean Zoa to Monsignor Jean Mbarga, for the trust continually renewed also through collaboration with the diocesan Health Centers. Finally to the health authorities of our country, from the Minister of Public Health to the Director of the Biyem-Assi District Hospital, for their constant support and accompaniment.
We thank God for these 25 years which have allowed us to realize our vocation to evangelization every day, sowing joy and hope, donated with love by our sisters and our collaborators in the hearts and bodies of the thousands of patients who have passed through this Health Center. Our prayer is that the Lord continues his work in us and through us, so that we may always be instruments of his glory.
Sr. Moly Paul Edaparambil, Camerun
