FOSA – Friends of
the Sick Association
About
The Friends of the Sick Association [FOSA] was established on 14 March 1941. 54 Area Care Committees was established throughout Natal. Members did home visits to ensure patients took their medication as prescribed by the clinics/hospitals.
In 2005, the KZN health department took over the management of the FOSA hospital and it was closed in 2015. FOSA is continuing with various programs at no cost to the community:
The Executive Committee, who continue to dedicate themselves in this way, are under the amazing leadership of Brother Ajen Rooplall, who is the current Chairman of FOSA, and who, together with Brother Gonny Pillay, the Vice Chairman, and the whole Committee, are dedicated to the work which has been ongoing for more than 80 years now.
They are to be commended for the extent of their care and relief of those less fortunate than themselves.
The Admin Officer is Brother Matthew Subben, who does a superb job of keeping tabs on all the work FOSA is doing, and also assisting with the provisions required and many other tasks that are given him.
FOSA’S Diabetes testing & Education
Work is undertaken by our diabetes teams who visit schools, malls, NGO’s and senior citizen’s clubs to provide blood pressure and blood sugar testing. In 2023 the teams screened over 16000 people. In 2024, 18000 people were tested. In 2025 the stats have increased. Free blood pressure and blood sugar testing is also done for the Durban North Sai Centre medical camps held at the Narian Jeewon Centre in Kenville monthly. Testing is also done for the Ramakrishna Centre in Glen Anil and events held by the Society in Durban and surrounding areas.
Hamper distribution -Covid & Beyond
In March 2020 society faced a state of despair and widespread job losses.
FOSA took a great step to assist the needy.
19211 food hampers were distributed.
The total cost to date is R4,210,384.04
School Shoes for Destitute learners
2022 – 2025 pairs were distributed R139,725.00
2023 – 3388 pairs were distributed R156,417.00
2024 – 3670 pairs were distributed R321,241.00
Tongaat Tonado
In June 2024, much devastation was caused by the tonado. FOSA together with donors raised an amount
of R461,900.00 to repair 19 homes.
R100000.00 will be donated to the Sea Tides Combined school to purchase lab equipment.
Soup kitchens - TB Patients
FOSA provides nutritious soup at several clinics in areas West and North of Durban. In the past financial year over 22000 patients were fed soup.
Assistance to NGO’s – Chinmaya Mission and Sarva Dharma Ashram
FOSA assists the above Organisations every alternate month and pays for the cost of rice & potatoes to
feed the destitute.
TB & Diabetes
What is TB or Tuberculosis?
TB is an infectious disease, officially Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, that is spread through droplet infection by breathing infected air into the lungs. It can affect other organs as well eg brain, kidneys, lymph glands, spleen, bones etc., Most people are able to fight this infection but in some it develops into TB disease. TB, first infection, is curable if all treatment is taken for at least 6 months.
What is Diabetes?
TB is an infectious disease, officially Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, that is spread through droplet infection by breathing infected air into the lungs. It can affect other organs as well eg brain, kidneys, lymph glands, spleen, bones etc., Most people are able to fight this infection but in some it develops into TB disease. TB, first infection, is curable if all treatment is taken for at least 6 months.
STONEBRIDGE
Care Committee
The Stonebridge Care Committee is one of our most active Care and Relief groups, with a vibrant Care Committee, who are always seeking ways to help the sick and support their community. Under the expert guidance of Br Robert Beharilal, they have excelled in reaching those who need it most.
Neal Stacey
TB survivor
Neal Stacey, like myself, is a TB survivor. He both runs and cycles to create awareness about TB and has done amazing work in making the disease of TB known. A true fighter, he has come back from the killer disease Tuberculosis is, and has made it his life’s work to spread the news that TB can be overcome, and that TB is curable.
Every year on Mandela’s birthday, 18th July, millions of South Africans are called on to spend 67 minutes working for the good of others. The duration symbolises the 67 years that the late Nelson Mandela spent fighting for social justice.
Madiba was a TB survivor. and in honour of his legacy, Neal Stacey, TB survivor, advocate and the founder of the 2Feet4TB initiative is 67 years old and is personally embarking on the following mission:
From 6th of July, he will be walking and/or running 6.7km for 67 consecutive days until his 68th birthday which is on the 11th September. During this period, Neal will also be cycling 67kms once a week
The total distance he will cover over this period is 1185.9 kms. On Saturday 17th July Neal ran 67 kms and on Sunday 18th July he cycled for 67 kms.
You can support this initiative by contributing R6.70 per day, or per km, or just once off, or whenever you choose within the 67 day Day challenge.
All proceeds will be used to purchase blankets for distribution to those in need.
All monetary contributions may be deposited into the following banking account;
This year, 2023, FOSA and NATBA will be hosting Neil Stacey during the period around Worls TB Day. He will join us in the TB Placard Demonstration, address FOSA and volunteers after this event, speak on Hindvani Radio, be interviewed by the SUN newspapers, run in the TOTI Parkrun, have breakfast at the Amanzimtoti Methodist Church and address those who come together.
On Sunday he will run the half marathon of the Durban City Marathon, and on Monday fly back to the Western Cape after visiting the Mahatma Gandhi Museum.
We look forward to his being with us.
Update: Late last year Neal suffered from heart disease and although better now was sidelined from his tenacious fight to bring TB and TB treatment to the public. We wish him well as he recovers to be 2 feet 4 TB’s icon.
