Cameroon: Outrage grows after pregnant student dies for lack of 8,000 franc hospital deposit

Public outrage has erupted in Cameroon following the death of a pregnant student, Melissa Essomba, who allegedly died after being denied urgent medical care at a public hospital due to her inability to pay a required deposit.

The incident occurred on May 26, 2026, when Essomba, a candidate for the general secondary education baccalaureate exam, experienced a medical emergency during her exams. Her peers transported her to the Nkolndongo district hospital. Upon arrival at the emergency room, she was informed that an 8,000 franc ($13) deposit was required for treatment. Essomba only had 2,000 francs and offered her mobile phone as collateral, but hospital staff reportedly refused the offer.

She then left to find the remaining 6,000 francs. Upon her return to the hospital, she was finally admitted, but her condition had significantly worsened. She passed away shortly after medical staff began their intervention. This tragic event has sparked widespread condemnation, with many questioning how a pregnant student in distress could be neglected for such a sum, especially in a public health facility.

Critics argue that the hospital staff demonstrated a profound "lack of humanism," failing in their duty to save lives, which is a core tenet of their training. Others have invoked legal repercussions, suggesting the staff's actions constitute a "refusal to assist a person in danger," an offense punishable under Article 283 of Cameroon's penal code. Calls for administrative and judicial investigations are mounting to establish responsibility and ensure accountability for what many consider a violation of the constitutional right to life.