SUMMARY OF FOSIC ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT FOR 2022
The SINKAM CHARLES FOUNDATION (FOSIC), a nonprofit humanitarian NGO was established in 2008 by Dr. Samuel Nana-Sinkam. The Fondation SINKAM CHARLES (FOSIC), is settled in the Bangou Sub-Division in the High Plateau Division of the Western Region. FOSIC was recognized by Ministerial Order N° 164/A/MINATD/SG/DAP/SDLP/SONG of 11/11/2016; by Ministerial Order N° 00000015/O/MINAT/SG/DAP/SDLP/SONG/BA of 30th/07/2020; and, by Presidential Decree N° 2021/441 of 20th/08/2021 recognizing FOSIC as an Association of Public Interest, mindful of the constitution, mindful of Decree N°99/53 of December 1990 related to freedom of association, as amended and supplemented by Law No. 99/11 of 20 July 1999.
The mission of FOSIC is to aid in the health and education sectors; more specifically; the rural populations of Cameroon. FOSIC organizes its health activities under the canopy of what it has been named “Journées Médicales” or Medical Days. These are three-day events during which FOSIC invites and organizes medical doctors of almost all specialties, dentists, and nurses to its headquarters in Bangou and opens the venue to the neighboring villages and countries' populations for free consultations and treatments, free surgeries and free medicine as needed.
Between 2008 and 2021, in the health sector, FOSIC has consulted and treated more than one hundred and fifty thousand (150,000) persons (Cameroonians from different regions of the country and from neighboring countries and even from outside of Africa) at its “Journees Medicales “events. In the education field, FOSIC has provided scholarships to more than fifty thousand primary, secondary schools and universities students. As often stated by the founding President of FOSIC, Dr. Samuel Nana-Sinkam, health is the key to life, and he strongly believes that “no health, no hope; no hope no life; but when there is health, one can do absolutely
everything” and, education is the key towards success for, when a people is educated, they can think and achieve their full development potentials.
THE ACTIVITIES OF FOSIC IN 2022
From 2008 to 2019, FOSIC regularly organized two Medical Days events per year, in July and December; on average six thousand (6000) patients are diagnosed and treated for free twice a year. Between early 2020 and late 2022, the rhythm of activities slowed down due to COVID-19, however, the activities of FOSIC didn't stop completely. FOSIC organized several smaller clinics in different villages and provided local health centers with materiel and equipment to assist Covid patients.
In 2022 particularly, FOSIC organized three Medical Days in February, August and December during which 6518 patients (aged between one and 99 years old) were consulted and treated for free: 141 in surgery, 330 in dental medicine, 281 in gynecology, 831 in ophthalmology (with 500 pairs of reading glasses distributed); 2470 in general medicine; 602 in cardiology; 586 in diabetic/hypertension; 98 in gastroenterology; 345 in paediatrics; 97 in otto-rhino-laryngology (OTL); 98 in physiotherapy; 127 in ultrasonography; 75 in neurology;, 913 lab tests; 62 in rheumatology, 70 in food and nutrition counselling.To achieve this goal in 2022, FOSIC mobilized not less than 400 health experts from different corners of Cameroon and from aboard (USA, France, Belgium and UK) to take part in the sessions, consult and provide appropriate treatment.
In 2022, FOSIC's humanitarian expenditures totaled ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-ONE MILLION THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOUR THOUSAND
(191,324,000) FCAF; (approximately 273,000 US$), specifically 181,324,000 CFAF; (259,000 US$) through the organization of three medical events (6,518 patients) and 10,000,000 FCFA; (14500 US$) in the field of education and social supports. We are appreciative of the many volunteers and donations we have received since the foundations establishment in 2008 and we are especially grateful for the generous support of the Bloom Fam Foundation for financial and equipment donations.
It should be underlined that at its inception, FOSIC was focused on the population of the Bangou region. However the scope has widened and, for the past 11 years, many of the patients are from other regions of Cameroon and from neighboring countries. Of the 6518 patients consulted and treated by FOSIC in 2022, only 20% came from Bangou and neighboring villages, while 80% came from other villages and even from neighboring countries and from outside of the continent.
This is a tangible indication that the activities of FOSIC are well known, and the needs are great. We must establish regular medical check-ups and address issues in a timely manner if we want to result in a healthier population. As the President of FOSIC says so often, “Health is the key to all hope!” One of the guiding principles of the foundation maintains that a person in good health can aspire to anything and achieve much, which is strongly aligned to the “Sustainable development polities of the Cameroonian Head of State, HE Paul Biya who calls on Cameroonians to effectively participate in the sustainable development of their country.
As stated above, the Government of Cameroon, in consideration of FOSIC's outstanding results between 2008 and 2022, has recognized it through Presidential Decree N° 2021/144 of 20th August 2021 as A Public Interest Organization. By so
doing, the government encourages FOSIC to pursue its goals and provide crucial health assistance to more rural poor people. .
Expanding on its objective of helping more needy rural peoples, FOSIC is planning to organize the next Medical Days scheduled for July 2023 in Maroua in northern region of Cameroon.
For all this important health assistance to the needy poor population of the rural Cameroon, financial and medical equipment are crucial. We are currently purchasing pharmaceuticals off the shelf, and only operating the pharmacy 12 days per year. Our goal is to purchase in bulk and open operations of the pharmacy 3 days per week, 52 weeks per year. We estimate we will need $15000 to $20000.00 USD to accomplish this.
As a French expression says, “a single hand cannot tie a bundle”. FOSIC needs assistance from Donors and volunteers to achieve its noble objectives.
SINKAM CHARLES FOUNDATION
FOSIC