My Mbingo Travel & Treatment Experience -- Have you Ever Traveled to Mbingo?

A small "driver and four persons" transport cab. It carries 8 in total

Realities on the Bamenda Mbingo road
From Bamenda to Mbingo is a 45 minutes drive. It is the doorway to Boyo Division; one of the seven divisions that make up the North West Region of Cameroon. Though the road is tarred, the age of the tar has forced a few cracks, but hey, you can make it to Mbingo without any major bumpiness -- its manageably smooth. Mind you, you may spend additional minutes on the way because our men in uniform are there, always. There are at least five check points. The Police are there. The Gendarmes are also there. The officials of the Ministry of Transport are there as well. Road safety people too are present. The local council officials too are always answering present.


Are you going on a public transport? Then there are two places to pick a cab. You can pic a cab at the popular Mobile Nkwen fuel station which will cost you 1000frs to Mbingo. Or go down to the Mile 4 Nkwen "motor park" as it is popularly called, and it will cost you 800frs to Mbingo, from there. If you are thinking of going by the small "driver and 4 persons" vehicles, be sure to reach Mbingo with either a leg, back or waist pain because those vehicles carry 8 persons -- 4 behind and 4 in front (including driver) whether fat or slim. Don't forget your National ID card for nationals, passport or residence permit for foreigners. As for me, my leg was hurting after a bad fall that got my ankle twisted in both directions in a rain water gutter and so I had to pay for two seats in front so as to prevent further injury due to overload.

Its a smooth drive to Mbingo Baptist Hospital

 What makes Mbingo Special?
The Mbingo Baptist Hospital, period. The Mbingo Baptist Hospital is a household name when it comes to treating injuries, fractures, sprains. They are known for their excellent treatment of bone related injuries. Lest I forget, they have several other health departments that treat different diseases. Its a very big hospital and for the first time I saw more than 30 foreigners, white men and women, in hospital uniforms seemingly working in the hospital. Wao! That's a mix of specialists all in one place. I got from a side gist that some of the foreigners are employees, some are interns, some volunteers, and some are visiting specialists. That was great!

My leg treatment process
I had an injury that had been managed wrongly in the house for one week and I needed medical help. I missed my step in a rain water gutter and got my ankle twisted in both directions in a fast reflex motion. On reaching Mbingo Baptist hospital, I had to consult, do a scan (x-ray), and then treatment follows. X-ray revealed that it was a severe sprain that needed an ankle stirrup brace and a forearm crutch. 

Me wearing and Ankle Stirrup Brace and holding a Forearm Crutch

How to handle a sprain! 

1. Do NOT massage with hot water -- please DON'T
2. Best thing to do is to rub ice around the affected area for a while, or dip a towel in cold water and wrap around the affected area
3. Visit a medical specialist if pain persists after the ice/cold water therapy

 

Do NOT massage with hot water!

Things to know before visiting Mbingo Baptist Hospital with a sprain 

1. Mbingo is very cold, so please wear warm clothing 
2. A small "driver and four persons" vehicle carries 8 persons in total. It is very uncomfortable.
3. Be sure to be at the hospital premises as early as 7am or else you will have to go there for two days because of the x-ray procedure and the high population of patients (I went there for two days)
4. Consultation is 1000frs
5. X-ray is 5000frs
6. An ankle stirrup brace like the one on my leg cost 20,000frs
7. A forearm crutch cost 15,000frs, per crutch.
8. Medication will vary from patient to patient depending on the nature of your injury and so amounts will differ
9. Be sure to go with another person else you will have to walk to and fro [long] distances within the hospital premises to pay your bills before you are being attended at. 
10. You will encounter patients with all kinds of injuries and health complications, so beware. That's life. 

Ankle stirrup brace 

Traveling is Education: Domestic Violence Survivor Cracks the Music World!

Music for the Soul by Micheline Ewang

I remember I have always said that Charlotte Dipanda's "Elle n'a pas vu" is my best music on earth, not until I listened to Micheline Ewang's "Dissongo." As at now, Micheline's Dissongo is the best music in my world, not because we come from the same ethnic group, but because she has done a good job. Trust me, this music is going to uplift your soul. Like all of us, Micheline has a life story that inspires her music and this is what makes her piece of art so soul touching. 

Her Domestic Violence Story

After surviving domestic violence for way too long, Cameroonian songstress, actress, story teller and humanitarian extraordinaire thought it was time to define herself and sing peace. The beautiful Oroko lady from Bombangi Batanga, in Ndian Division of Cameroon says traveling to America opened her eyes to positive realities.

"It is here that I had to put a cloth on that abusive behavior. It is here that I learned that it was wrong. It is here that I knew it was called domestic violence. It is still here in the USA that I learned to become the woman I was before, gain confidence in myself, went back to school and do what I love to do -- music. It is most definitely here that I learned to become the woman that I presently am," Micheline explains with a contagious smile on her face.

Her "Dissongo" Music Debut

Dissongo in a Oroko is a peaceful dance done by women only. If you watch women perform this dance you would agree with me that women are the most peaceful people on earth. The dance steps are mathematcial. It is no doubt that Micheline chose this title for her album.

In her debut "Dissongo" official, she is in a subtle yet serious way telling people that change is possible, for the better. She thinks no one is an island and so it is impossible to live alone "Osa fiti di rai gwe'iti" (hope I got the lyrics right here -- Hihi! Ah, this lady [Micheline Ewang] rocks in this music. I just can't get enough of it. I have been eating up my data since morning just listening to this.

Here is a direct link to the youtube video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AOyxt_5Mlw&app=desktop

Micheline is seeking a re-connection with herself through her artistic blend of traditional African and Western music.

"With the blend of African and Western music, I'm trying not only to reconcile me with myself, but also to exchange through art my culture and other cultures. I also want to reconnect to my roots," she says. 

Truth be told, I like love this music to the stars and back! I love this chic!!! Hope you love it too!!!