NMSI Progress Blog
As we get ever closer to the Dodowa District Hospital completion, one of the final pieces of the puzzle to set off from the UK is the HUGE Waste Water Treatment Unit. This is now on route to Ghana with our logistics team planning its route to site, so this enormous equipment can be installed safely.
Last week NMS staff met with Jamestown chiefs and Fisherman’s council to work towards finalising collaborative plans for the building of the new Noyaa school building. After being blessed by the chiefs NMS spoke about our work in Ghana and the work we do with charities in the country. Architects introduced the build concept and drawings. The Jamestown community accepted the plan and are now looking at solutions for location of the building and land usage. Plans continue to come together as NMS looks to have the new building in place for the summer term.
Progress at the Fomena site is rolling out. In the residential buildings, which are completely built externally, plumbing work is underway as well as plastering and spraying of walls. Roofing and internal ceiling work is complete and the electrical installation is well underway. The main clinical building has had 100% of the formwork for slab completed along with a full installation of ducting. In the Traditional Medicine building, doors and windows are fitted and painting is nearly complete.
February saw the Ghana Hospitals project selected for its significance for inclusion in the agenda of a visit from a delegation of the UK Ministry of Trade and Investment. Over 100 people toured the fast-moving Dodowa hospital site led by the UK Minister for Trade and Investment, Lord Livingston accompanied by the British High Commissioner and Ghanaian Representatives, the Hon. Minister for the Presidency, the Hon. Deputy Minister of Health and the Shai-Osudoku District Chief Executive.
As of April 2015 there is a skilled workforce of over 700 labourers, managers, carpenters, masons, engineers on 5 active hospital sites across Ghana. The workforce is in the majority made up of Ghanaians, as we keep our commitment to bolstering local economies and using local staff wherever possible. Over 90% of those working on the project are Ghanaian nationals. The size of the crew demonstrates the growing speed of the project, as over the last 3 months from January, it has increased by over 200%.
As building work continues at a rapid pace on multiple sites, our procurement and logistics team have to work even harder to deliver materials to the right place at the right time. Processes are constantly updated in order to keep up with demand and the team is now working as a well oiled machine. In the first two months of 2015 we have handled:
21 containers worth of materials and equipment, relating to 1,022 cubic meters and 230 tons!
891 pallets containing 2,748 items of medical and non-medical equipment is ready at our TEMA warehouse for delivery to Dodowa and Fomena sites.
7 airfreight shipments have been cleared with 16 further containers currently in transit.
NMS has partnered with OAfrica to support 47 children to continue to attend school during this school year. In our commitment to supporting local, community charities we have pledged support to OAfrica based near our Dodowa site in the village of Ayenya. OA works with vulnerable children and their families to keep them out of institutions and in a home environment while continuing their education. They provide social and financial support in a sustainable way, working with family members to undertake training and developing income-generation schemes enabling them to support their children and keep them out of orphanages.
Meet Kwame, 5, Kofi, 7 and Francis 9 – three brothers who unfortunately lost their father. Afterwards their mother could not afford to send them to school or provide enough food for them to eat – resulting in them becoming severely malnourished. They were referred to OAfrica to prevent them being placed in an orphanage. Now they receive our support, all three boys are attending school, they are steadily gaining weight, and have lots of energy to play.
NMSI provides a full design/build/equip/train service for the development of locally appropriate health-related infrastructure. NMSI brings to bear the expertise of award-winning experts in the field to provide the latest in innovation and design.