Yaounde Reproductive Hospital: Exceptional Christmas Feast With Chantal Biya

“Thank You! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Mama Chantal Biya! The feast was an emotional and exceptional one.” Such words, describe the 2021 Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Gynaecological Endoscopic Surgery and Human Reproductive Teaching Hospital (CHRACERH) yesterday, December 22, 2021. The First Lady, Chantal Biya, matron of the hospital was at the vicinity at Ngousso in Yaounde to light a special Christmas tree and to hand Christmas gifts to children at the hospital especially those conceived via In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and delivered at the hospital. In her motherly manner, while respecting barrier measures against Covid-19, the First Lady went from ward to ward, exchanging niceties with the mothers, taking pictures with each baby while handing a Christmas gift to every child.  

The ceremony was brief, but emotionally filled, especially for the mothers who could experience motherhood thanks to the efforts of the First Lady, the brain behind the existence of the hospital which has facilitated the birth of over 300 children via IVF. The usual serenity around the hospital was absent yesterday. Besides melodies from different traditional dance groups, the hospital choir dished out enchanting Christmas carols to the pleasure of guests.

The different hall ways into the hospital were decked with festive Christmas decorations such as Christmas trees to which were attached ornaments, wreaths and garlands. Such decorations did not just create a charming festive spirit, but also enough reason to show that the hospital community was particularly in a festive mood.

“Mother Christmas” gracefully made her way into the hospital premises at about 1:00pm. Her presence kick-started the distribution of gifts. After being received by the hospital administrators and other dignitaries, the First Lady went directly to the corner of the hospital where there was a collection of gifts to be distributed to children whose parents work at the hospital. Later, she made a stop at the Professor Maurice-Antoine Bruhat amphitheatre of the hospital, where she ha...