The National Order of Physicians of Cameroon has recently taken disciplinary action against several doctors following investigations into medical errors and deaths that occurred in healthcare facilities across the country. Meeting in a disciplinary chamber on May 16, 2026, the institution made public sanctions ranging from suspensions of practice lasting six to twelve months.
The professional misconduct attributed to the practitioners includes negligence, organizational failures, and technical operating errors often linked to inexperience. These sanctions follow highly publicized cases, notably the deaths of Stéphanie Siewe at the Clinique des Anges in Douala, and Dr. Mbengono Barbara Nancy Hilary at the University Teaching Hospital (CHU) in Yaoundé. These events had sparked strong emotions on social media, raising questions about the quality of care in some Cameroonian hospitals.
In the case of the death of Dr. Mbengono Barbara Nancy Hilary, Professor NKWABONG Élie was found guilty of "gross professional negligence," "failure of supervision," and "organizational faults." He was suspended from activity for a period of 12 months. Professor JEMEA Bonaventure also received a 12-month suspension for failing to provide specialized supervision and for violating safety protocols regarding anesthesia and blood transfusions. Dr. TIYOU Calvin was sanctioned with a 12-month suspension for "deficiencies" in the management of a hemorrhagic obstetric emergency and delays in surgical control.
The Order of Physicians also indicated that other practitioners were sanctioned in connection with several separate cases examined during this disciplinary session. In addition, an investigation is underway concerning the death of economic journalist Roger Betala, which occurred on April 21, 2026, at the Le Jourdain Clinic in Yaoundé under circumstances that remain to be clarified. The conclusions of this investigation could lead to further disciplinary or legal action.
The death of Roger Betala highlighted serious issues of negligence within the Le Jourdain Clinic. He underwent surgery following a knee dislocation, but a surgical error caused a fatal hemorrhage. The clinic is also accused of operating beyond its legal capabilities, performing complex procedures with a category C authorization that limits it to basic health services.
These cases highlight the persistent challenges facing the Cameroonian healthcare system, particularly in terms of regulation, infrastructure, and access to legal remedies. The Order of Physicians appears determined to crack down on breaches of ethics and illegal practices, while seeking to improve the quality of care and support young doctors. The deadline of June 30, 2026, has been set for promoters of health establishments who are not themselves doctors to submit their complete administrative files and the qualifications of their technical director to the Order. Any establishment failing to comply with this requirement will be considered to be practicing medicine illegally and will be liable to legal proceedings.
These measures come in a context where the Cameroonian government is striving to strengthen the health system, notably through a budget of 391.267 billion FCFA allocated to the Ministry of Public Health for the 2026 financial year. This budget aims to modernize the health system, strengthen disease prevention and improve access to care for all Cameroonians.
