HEALTHi FIRST

06/08/2025

Invest in breastfeeding and invest in the future

World breastfeeding week is celebrated every first week of August. It’s a time to recognize breastfeeding as a powerful foundation for lifelong health, development, and equity.

This means ensuring every mother has access to the support and information she needs to breastfeed as long as she wishes to do so - by investing in skilled breastfeeding counselling, enforcing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, and creating environments—at home, in healthcare, and at work—that support and empower women.

Importance of breastfeeding

•Improve survival
•Protection from infectious diseases
•Reduce lifetime risk of obesity, asthma and •Heart diseases
•Lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer
•Strong microbiomes
•Healthy brain development
•Optimal nutrition

How do I breastfeed my baby?

•Breastfeed the baby exclusively for 6 months and up to 24 months.
•Breastfeed the baby for 15 min on each breast that's 30 min every 2 hours and also on demand.

WHO encourages women
To attend antenna care and be taught by adequate health personnels to ensure effective breastfeeding.

Source: Health Organization
Prepared by Collins Enah

28/07/2025

WORLD HEPATITIS DAY

We have got only one liver, we have got only one life and hepatitis is capable to devastate both.

This year’s World Hepatitis Day will highlight the importance of the liver for a healthy life, and the need to scale up viral hepatitis prevention, testing and treatment to optimize liver health, prevent liver disease and achieve the 2030 hepatitis elimination goals.

Hepatitis can be caused by:
1) Immune cells in the body attacking the liver
2) Infections from viruses (such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C), bacteria, or parasites
3) Liver damage from alcohol or poison
4) Medicines, such as an overdose of acetaminophen
5) Fatty liver

• How can you know you have hepatitis B?
Hepatitis is a silent killer, people living with the disease doesn't present with any symptoms. Most symptoms turn to appear in the advance state, making it difficult for health practitioners and patient to recognize an infected person.
However, the disease can present with symptoms in the advance state as:
1) Pain or bloating in the belly area
2) Dark urine and pale or clay-colored stools
3) Fatigue
4) Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
5) Nausea and vomiting
6) Weight loss

In case of any of these symptoms, get to the nearest health hospital.
Anyone infected with hepatitis can progress to chronic conditions such as liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure and of all death.
But there's good news, the disease can be prevented using the hepatitis B vaccine, which is readily available in our certain. Reason you should get screened, know your status, get vaccinated to keep your liver and your health healthy.
In case of any doubt, don't hesitate to get to us. We're at your reach

REFERENCE: WHO
Mypennmedicine
Created by: Komofor Nikeze

23/07/2025

HEALTHI FIRST SPOTLIGHT 🌟

Meet Berinyuy, a passionate and purpose-driven medical student from the University of Bamenda and this week’s featured volunteer at Healthi First.

She is deeply committed to preventive medicine — the very heart of our mission at Healthi First. Through her dedication to community health, she actively engages in awareness campaigns, health talks, screenings, and sensitization outreach.

She’s not only a future doctor with interests in surgery, pediatrics, and research, but also a rising leader who uses her voice to drive real impact in her community.

We’re proud to have her as part of our volunteer team! 💙

21/07/2025

We’re delighted to announce the success of our recent outreach program at the Luc Menorah orphanage, made possible by our volunteers and partner Foundation CMR

Together, we brought hope and essential skills to the children. Thanks to the dedication of Collins Enah, Brain, Berinyuy and our CEO Dr. Nyuyki,MD (Sir Healthi), we shared knowledge about hygiene and sanitation, basic first aid, and computer skills, helping to build a brighter future for these young lives.

Together, we’re building healthier, happier communities!

World Health Organization

16/07/2025

We're overjoyed to announce that our Antimicrobial stewardship hub lead, Kuete's abstract was selected for a poster presentation at the 13th International AIDS Conference, after having received a fully funded scholarship from the International AIDS Society (IAS). 🏆

In addition to this outstanding achievement, she has also been awarded the esteemed IAS Youth Leadership Fellowship, affirming her role as a leader in the healthcare community.
As the Antimicrobial Stewardship Hub Lead for Healthifirst, she exemplifies the passion, commitment, and excellence that drive our organization’s mission.

We celebrate her commitment to advancing healthcare, especially in the battle against HIV/AIDS. The entire Healthifirst team cheers her on as she continues to shine as a beacon of hope and a force for change in the healthcare landscape. 💜

11/07/2025

We are more than proud to see our CEO being recognized as a nominee for the Cameroon Youth Awards for category of Health and Wellness. This nomination is an acknowledgment of Platine Nyuyki-SirHealthi unwavering commitment to leading our dedicated teams and others towards the attainment of health equity, community empowerment, social justice and just the beginning of the recognition that he and Healthifirst deserve.

29/06/2025

We're thrilled to announce that Healthifirst is partnering with Young Physicians Network for the highly anticipated YoPAC 2025 conference. 🤝

At this year's gathering, you'll have the unique opportunity to rub shoulders with the changemakers shaping the future of healthcare in Cameroon. 💫📍

Why attend? Because innovative ideas are just waiting to be unlocked, inspiring stories are ready to be shared, and valuable connections are waiting to be made.

By registering for YoPAC 2025, you'll gain access to an unparalleled platform for dialogue, idea-sharing, and collaboration. But don't wait—spots are filling up faster than a clinic on a Monday morning! 🏥⏳
If you’re passionate about reimagining the healthcare system in Cameroon, this is your chance to be part of something truly groundbreaking.

Registration ongoing
https://bit.ly/YOPAC2025REG

20/06/2025

The visionary leader of Healthifirst, Dr. Platine Nyuyki-SirHealthi, has embarked on a momentous journey to Drexel University in Philadelphia as a selected Fellow for the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.
His selection, amongst 16 from an impressive pool of 7000 Cameroonian applicants, speaks volumes of the positive impact Healthifirst has done in Cameroon healthcare landscape, and stands as testament to the hard work and dedication he has poured into the organization's mission of promoting preventive medicine.

This Fellowship opportunity offers him the chance to sharpen his knowledge and hone his skills in leadership, business, entrepreneurship, and communication, enabling him to return to Cameroon armed with fresh insights and renewed vigor to continue advancing Healthifirst’s mission.

This extraordinary achievement is a source of pride for Healthifirst, and a promise of even greater heights that we are committed to reaching.


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29/05/2025

Together for healthier communities

At Open Dreams, we believe that a healthy community is a strong community.

28/05/2025

Empowering Internally Displaced Girls in Bamenda, Cameroon

Under the theme "Menstruation is Power," we reached out to over 80 conflict-displaced girls aged 10-18 years in Bamenda. We provided not only sanitary pads but also education on their use, along with practical skills for mastering the menstrual cycle through the creation of menstrual bracelets.

Our key areas of intervention included:

1. Education on menstruation, menstrual tracking, and menstrual hygiene.
2. Practical instruction in making menstrual bracelets to help track periods.
3. Distribution of both non-reusable and reusable pads, alongside education on their usage.

Above all, we aimed to build their confidence during menstruation, encouraging them to recognize that menstruation is a normal physiological process and a sign of good reproductive health.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsor, the Cho Ngafor Cnfoundation, through myafricanwomanhood, and our partner, She is strength organization , as well as the Belfa Clinic for their collaboration in making a real difference in the lives of these beneficiaries.

We are immensely proud of our SRH Hub lead, Dr. Tete Yvonne, for guiding the team (including Ebua Collins, Ethel-Njeunui
keihnui
Yopokou fosi
Komofor Nikeze
Annsorelle
Claude Binyuy ) that made this initiative possible.

We also warmly appreciate our Executive Director, Dr. Platine Nyuyki-SirHealthi, for his invaluable guidance throughout the planning and ex*****on of this project.

Menstruation is Power, and Menstruation is Pride.

24/05/2025

Join us tomorrow at Belfa clinic, mile 1 upstation

As the whole healthifirst team will be bringing to you insightful content on;
- understanding menstruation
- menstrual tracking
- menstrual hygiene practices
- sharing of sanitary pads
- making of menstrual bracelets, just to name a few...

Our target are females between 12- 15yrs. But we will gladly receive everyone

See you tomorrow at Belfa clinic, 2pm

23/05/2025

Let's talk about unhealthy practices during menstruation and the health consequences

- Using Unsanitary pad or clothing

- Reusing disposable pads/tampons

- Wearing a pad/ pad clothing for long (beyond 6–8 hours), Can cause bacterial growth

- Poor Ge***al Hygiene

- Not washing hands before/after changing menstrual products Spreads bacteria.

- Infrequent washing of the ge***al area – Causes odor and infections.

- Using harsh soaps or douching– Disrupts natural pH balance, increasing yeast/bacterial infections.

- Improper Disposal of Menstrual Waste like Throwing used products openly– Spreads germs and creates unhygienic conditions.

- Wearing Tight or Non-Breathable Clothing ,Traps moisture, promoting bacterial growth.

- Not changing soiled underwear– Increases risk of rashes and infections.

- Ignoring Diet & Hydration like eating excessive salty/sugary foods, Worsens bloating and cramps.

- Not drinking enough water– Can worsen fatigue and headaches.

- Isolating due to period stigma– Affects mental health.

by: Komofor Nikeze

Stay tuned for further content