The move sparked widespread reactions, particularly in the North West Region, with concerns emerging on social media that the renowned hospital had been transferred from Kumbo to Yaoundé.
Hospital authorities and members of the Tertiary Sisters have however clarified that the Shisong facility remains fully operational in Kumbo and has not been relocated.
According to officials, the new structure in Soa is an annex operating under the same administration as the main hospital in Shisong. Its primary objective is to bring specialised healthcare services closer to patients in Yaoundé and surrounding areas.
The annex is expected to function as a full hospital and will offer advanced services, including cardiac care and heart surgeries. Officials noted that the Shisong Cardiac Centre in Kumbo remains active and continues to receive and treat patients with heart-related complications.
The expansion follows the division of the former single province of the Tertiary Sisters in Cameroon on May 31, 2024, which created three provinces: St Francis Province covering Yaoundé, Maria Hueber Province in Bamenda, and St Clare Province in Buea.
Under the new arrangement, Yaoundé now falls under St Francis Province, prompting the sisters to extend their healthcare mission to the Centre Region. Sources close to the authorities say the congregation will inaugurate another hospital in Douala in the coming days under the St Clare Province.
Beyond improving access to specialised healthcare, the new annex also reflects growing demand for quality medical services in major urban centres.
Despite the expansion, officials insist Shisong remains a critical healthcare hub in the North West and continues to serve thousands of patients across Cameroon.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Web
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