Member Update - FALCOH
FALCOH - Taking Healthcare to the Underprivileged
Favour Low-cost Healthcare Foundation (FALCOH) is an apolitical, not-for-profit community-based health organization with a mandate to enhance the quality of healthcare services for all populations during routine and emergency situations, especially for vulnerable groups and disadvantaged communities in Cameroon, Central Africa. FALCOH Foundation is an ISQua Institutional Member, 2020-21.
FALCOH Foundation was co-founded in 2014 by the ISQua Emerging Leader (2019), Dr Louis Ako-Egbe. The formation of the organization was inspired by the need to bridge the gap between the desired healthcare services and quality of healthcare services assessed by the population in Cameroon. Additionally, the founders of FALCOH lost their parents to a healthcare service delivery which was unsafe and void of compassion.
FALCOH Foundation implements activities in 8 out of 10 regions in Cameroon. Its activities are focused on three key areas: Health service delivery (community and facility-based), Humanitarian interventions and Public health research. Its operations and activities are guided by the following values: Passion, Trust, Belief, Learning and Accountability.
Our work
Between 2017-20, FALCOH has made a significant contribution to the social welfare of Cameroonians especially in the crisis-affected South West Region (SWR). To enhance quality service delivery, FALCOH trained over 200 frontline health workers from selected facilities in clinical approaches to promote compassion in post-abortion healthcare & services for vulnerable groups like HIV positive children, and best practices in preventing surgical site infections.
FALCOH has established a medical centre in Batoke, Limbe to provide effective, safe and people-centred healthcare services which benefit over 20,000 inhabitants, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The Foundation has provided health education and free community-based screening for HIV, Hepatitis B, hypertension and diabetes to more than 2000 individuals; sexual and reproductive health education & menstrual hygiene support to over 200 adolescent girls in rural communities.
The Foundation donated basic life-support equipment and medical supplies to enhance the quality of care for severe and critical COVID-19 patients in five referral hospitals (Buea Regional Hospital, Limbe RH, Bota DH, Mamfe DH and Bangem DH) in the SWR.
For humanitarian services, FALCOH distributed over 150 Dignity kits and 300 Noble kits to about 450 families (~3,500 IDPs) in the SWR. The organization has trained 30 Young Women Mediators (YWMC) in Cameroon and host the coalition for young women mediators.
FALCOH is providing free antenatal and delivery services to pregnant IDPs in rural communities. It donated over 30 handwashing stations and >1000 face masks in communities to slow the spread of COVID-19.
In research, FALCOH Foundation has conducted a survey to assess the quality of care practices and the culture of safety in clinical practice in health facilities; Point Prevalence Survey on antimicrobial prescription and consumption in clinical practice and an assessment of users’ perceptions about home-based care.
Our plans for the future
FALCOH Foundation plans to carry out the following key activities:
- Workshop on Healthcare Quality and Safety for Hospital and District Health Managers in the SWR of Cameroon, to promote QI best practices and establish a Regional Network for Quality and Safety,
- Strengthen health workforce capacity and local communication for COVID-19 response & containment in the SWR,
- Scale up the training for YWMs to support peace-building efforts in local communities in the conflict-stricken SWR & NWR of Cameroon.
- Expand the scope of coverage and healthcare package for IDPs in the SWR (especially pregnant women), through the use of trained Advanced Community Health Workers residing in IDP communities & FALCOH ‘Talk4Dr’ mobile app.
- Support healthcare workers to apply ’40-seconds of compassion’ in their practice, especially for HIV-positive children and adolescents.
- Strengthen QI interventions at FALCOH Medical Centre (diabetic & hypertension clinic, SRH club for adolescents).
The Foundation is seeking partnerships and support to enhance its activities in the key areas of work highlighted above.
If your organisation can help support this worthwhile and necessary work, please contact Louis Ako-Egbe to discuss further - louisakoegbe@falcoh.org or info@falcoh.org
Website: www.falcoh.org Twitter: @FALCOH_ORG Email: info@falcoh.org