Throughout the month of October, Socapalm deployed intensive healthcare initiatives across its major plantation sites including Dibombari, Mbambou, Kienke, Mbongo, and Edéa. Demonstrating its commitment to worker welfare and corporate social responsibility, management mobilized extensive medical resources to educate, screen, and protect female employees, their families, and local communities against breast and cervical cancers two of the leading health threats facing women today.From informative medical seminars and specialist screenings to youth vaccinations and community fitness walks, the month-long “Pink October” campaign registered record engagement across all operational sites.In Dibombari, the campaign emphasized the direct link between personal health and workplace productivity.“The primary goal is to foster early diagnosis of breast and uterine cancers, which rank among the most critical non-communicable health challenges both globally and across Africa,” stated Occupational Physician Dr. Eyoum Njowe. “Preserving the health of our workers and their families maintains an essential balance. A worker carrying the burden of a personal or family health crisis naturally experiences a decline in performance. Promoting workplace health is a fundamental responsibility, and these initiatives sit at the core of Socapalm’s mission.”Unlike earlier iterations of the campaign, community engagement reached an all-time high this year. Women actively participated in educational workshops and stepped forward for clinical screenings. Medical teams provided clear, age-appropriate guidance: Recommended for all women to monitor for unusual lumps, structural changes, or skin discoloration. Recommended every two years for women aged 45 and older, or earlier based on clinical risk evaluations.Cervical Screenings (Pap Smears/Visual Inspection): Recommended every two years for sexually active women to detect and treat pre-cancerous lesions early.At the Kienke site, Dr. Aurélien Djomga who has overseen worker health and safety since 2022 led an intensive, week-long series of targeted activities. Preventative efforts began on Monday, October 26, when medical staff visited local educational institutions, including Socapalm V1 Public School and the local bilingual agricultural school. Nurse Noko Willy and the team conducted sessions on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) risks and the importance of early immunization.“Our goal is to protect children between the ages of 9 and 14,” Nurse Willy explained, emphasizing that early vaccination safeguards long-term reproductive health. With strong parental consent, scores of young students received HPV vaccines across the multi-day outreach, with zero post-vaccination adverse events reported.
School Principal Djuita Honorine praised the initiative, noting, “We must protect our children because they represent the future of the nation.”The Kienke campaign culminated in a high-volume screening day and a friendly corporate football match, highlighting the connection between physical activity and holistic well-being.“We are thoroughly satisfied with the response,” noted Dr. Djomga. “Over the years, our workers have increasingly taken charge of their own health. They understand that prevention is key. By bringing in specialists and organizing dedicated transportation for women from neighboring villages, we ensured that high-quality, dignified care was accessible to everyone.” The momentum continued seamlessly across the Mbongo and Edea sites: Dr. Patricia Epopa spearheaded a multi-stage initiative in Mbonho which started in mid-month. Following an October 12 school outreach that vaccinated 50 children against HPV, visiting gynecologists from Douala conducted screenings for 90 women on October 23. On October 28, Plantation Manager Carlos Ferreira joined Dr. Epopa to address the community before leading a 5-kilometer “Pink Walk” from the medical center to the V5 stadium. Dr. Epopa noted that the enthusiasm generated during Pink October creates a strong bridge toward “Blue November” (Men’s Health Awareness Month), which launches with dedicated specialist screenings on November 5. At the transit lodge in Edea,Dr. Liliane Miassé led an interactive workshop on breast and cervical health alongside local management. The session was followed by a 6-kilometer round-trip awareness walk to the V3 sector, concluding with guided group stretching and healthy refreshments for 80 participating women. The collective outreach across all participating sites yielded strong measurable results: In Kienke 80 children vaccinated | 150+ women engaged & screened,Sports tournament & educational workshops. In Mbongo 50 children vaccinated 90 women screened 5 km “Pink Walk” . In Edea, 80 women attended workshop ,6 km Awareness Walk.Total Impact shows that,130+ Children Vaccinated 320+ Women Screened across it’s plantations.While the turnout reflects robust community trust and successful logistics, Socapalm’s medical leaders emphasize that initial participation is only the first step. The true long-term success of the campaign relies on consistent post-screening follow-up care, rapid processing of test results, and clear referral pathways for those requiring specialized medical treatment. By pairing broad preventive outreach with sustained clinical care, Socapalm continues to build a healthier, more resilient workforce and community.
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