Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is an NGO dealing with HIV pregnant women. Operating at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, locally known as Buhinga Hospital, their nurses did not have an adequate space to operate in a safe and private manner. In January 2017, they got in touch with One Brick to see if we could help find a solution to this.
Background
Buhinga Hospital is one of the biggest hospitals in Western Uganda. It was opened in 1920 and serves to half million people from seven districts. With 307 beds it offers both general and specialised services and serves as a University training hospital. The OPD department is visited by over 400 HIV pregnant mothers every month.
Outline of Work
KOICA's working space at the hospital consisted of one small room with one desk shared by 3 active nurses. The lack of good facilities and working space meant patients were unable to receive the treatment and privacy they deserved. In addition, the nearest toilet facilities were a 10 minute walk away.
One Brick were commissioned to build a new separate building on campus with a reception, waiting room, consulting rooms, pharmacy, record room, toilets and a staff room.
Delivery of Work
Work was completed by One Brick's local team and consisted of the following main parts:
- Building Structure consisting of a waiting room, 3 private rooms, 2 toilets and 1 staff room
- Brick wall - Construction of walls with burnt clay bricks in cement and sand mortar
- Ground Floor
- Timber work and iron sheet roofing
- Plastering walls outside and inside
- Apron excavation, placing hard core, casting concrete and screeding
- Internal and external painting
- Ceiling in gypsum boards with galvanised frame structure
- Fitting of steel doors and windows with glazing
- Fitting wooden doors
- Painting of internal and external walls
- Plumbing works
- Power installation
The building was handed over on 16 June 2017 (the process and handover can bee seen in the video on this page).
This project is a great asset to the community and One Brick were very proud to have been involved.