Uganda: Panyadoli Healthcare Project

Background

In 2016, Real Medicine Foundation received funding from LDS Charities to expand the Maternity ward and construct a Minor Operating Theatre at the Panyadoli Health Centre III in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, Uganda. RMF Uganda’s team received this funding with great joy, because it has been our dream to build an Operating Theatre and expand the Maternity ward at Panyadoli Health Centre III since 2009, when we began our support and improvement of the health centers at Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. Limited space in the Maternity ward and the absence of an Operating Theatre have been key issues limiting service delivery at Panyadoli Health Centre III. Once completed, this construction will significantly contribute towards improving the health status of refugees in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, as well as the host community. 
 

Project Planning

Contractor Selection 

Through a bidding process, Ben and Dok Enterprises Ltd was selected to construct the Maternity ward expansion and the Minor Operating Theatre. The company also agreed to integrate graduates of RMF’s Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute who have been trained in construction. Thus, an additional benefit of the project is that it has provided employment for several of our graduates, as well as increasing their chance of participating in future construction projects conducted by other partners in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. There is also a very high possibility of some of our graduates being retained by Ben and Dok Enterprises Ltd. 

Scope of Construction 

Maternity Ward 

• Waiting room (3.2m x 4.9m) …………….. Painting in progress
• Porch (1.3m x 4.2m) …………………………. Painting in progress  
• Sterilizing room (2.8m x 2.6m) ………….. Painting in progress  
• Stage 1 room (3.2m x 2.6m) ……………… Painting in progress  
• Delivery room (3.2m x 4.4m) ……………. Painting in progress  
• Midwife room (2.8m x 1.8m) ……………. Painting in progress  
• Linen room (71.7m x 1.8m) ………………. Painting in progress  
• Ward (6.4m x 6.9m) …………………………. Painting in progress  
• Sluice room (2.2m x 1.8m) ……………….. Painting in progress  
• Bathroom (2m x 1.8m) …………….………. Painting in progress  
• Passage (1.8m) …………………………….…… Painting in progress  
• Ramp from new ward to old ……….……. Completed 
• Floor in all rooms ……………………………… Completed with terrazzo being cleaned 

Minor Operating Theatre 

• Lobby ……………………………………..………… Painting in progress  
• Supervisor’s room ………………………..…… Painting in progress  
• Duty station ………………………….………….. Painting in progress  
• Ante recovery room ……………………….… Painting in progress  
• Operating room …………………………….…. Painting in progress  
• Sluice room ………………………………………. Painting in progress  
• Sterilizing room ………………………………… Painting in progress  
• Storeroom for sterilized items ………….. Painting in progress  
• Anesthetist discharge ……………………….. Painting in progress  
• Storeroom ………………………………………… Painting in progress  
• Anesthetist’s room ……………………..….… Painting in progress  
• Surgeon’s room ………………………………… Painting in progress  
• Lavatory ………………………………….………… Painting and fitting of wall tiles in progress 
• Floor in all rooms ……………………………… Terrazzo has been installed and is ready for polishing and cleaning 

Construction Progress

The construction of the two buildings continued steadily, and both buildings are being painted. Since the previous report, these tasks have been successfully completed:  

Maternity Ward: Additional Tasks Completed

• Superstructure completed
• Fascia board painted 
• Gutters installed for harvesting rainwater
• Plastic tanks procured for harvesting rainwater
• Ceiling completed and painted 
• Wiring completed
• Interior doors installed 
• Exterior metallic doors and windows set with panes of glass and installed  
• Exterior walls of the entire structure painted 
• Floor of the entire structure coated with terrazzo 
• Plumbing completed 
• Interior walls being painted 
• Interior counters constructed and being varnished 
• Solar panels installed for additional electricity 

Minor Operating Theatre: Additional Tasks Completed 

• Superstructure completed
• Fascia board painted
• Gutters installed for harvesting rainwater 
• Plastic tanks procured for harvesting rainwater
• Ceiling completed and painted 
• Wiring completed, with lighting to be installed
• Interior doors being installed  
• Exterior metallic doors and windows set with panes of glass and installed  
• Plumbing completed 
• Interior counters constructed and being painted  
• Septic tanks constructed 
• Solar water heater installed 
• Metallic water stand installed 
• Floor of the entire structure coated with terrazzo 

Benefits Beginning

Even before completion of the Maternity ward expansion and Minor Operating Theatre at Panyadoli Health Centre III, the refugee and host communities are benefiting from the project: 

It has stimulated discussions of elevating Panyadoli Health Centre III to level IV. The implication of this is that the facility would receive more support from Uganda’s central government in terms of medical supplies, medical and non-medical staff, and financial support. Refugee youths and nationals who participated in the construction have earned income, experience, and connections. The project has boosted local business because some of the construction materials are being purchased at the trading center in Bweyale. This construction has boosted the image ofRMF throughout the country of Uganda. Many stakeholders have acknowledged RMF’s success. We have heard sighs of relief from refugees who have learned that Panyadoli Health Centre III will be conducting surgeries, thus reducing the likelihood of having to travel long distances looking for treatment.