As work rolls out on multiple sites, the project is able to fulfil commitment to ensuring local jobs for local people. In total, 226 Ghanaians are working on-site at Dodowa, Kumawu, Fomena and Abetifi sites.
NMSI Progress Blog
During September 2014 work at the Fomena site progressed very fast with over 8000 square metres of earth being moved, boundary definition and the relocation of hundreds of trees and saplings to the on-site nursery for replanting later.
Fomena’s sod-cutting ceremony took place in early August, marking the beginning of the hospital build. The ceremony was well attended by the District Assembly, chiefs, community members and medical students. The occasion gave the team a great opportunity to engage with the local community and was greeted with enthusiasm from all sides.
NMSI has successfully launched our fundraising appeal for the Noyaa Association School in Jamestown, Accra. We have been lucky to be on the receiving end of great generosity from partners and colleagues in the UK and Ghana. A fundraising evening, held in Accra on 10th July was a brilliant event and chance for guests to learn more about this fantastic charity. The children from Noyaa performed along with an acrobatic Jamestown dance troupe to the delight of the crowd. With ticket sales, donations, pledges and an auction we were able to raise $9,300, which will fund the running of the school for 6 months. A further $11,000 has been raised over a period of 3 years from take-up of the ‘250 Club’. Our aim is to enable the school to sustain itself over 3 years after NMSI builds a new structure. There are several ways to donate and become part of this process and very worthy cause.
In the continuing effort to improve health, safety and wellbeing standards within the contractor community, our partners Luton Engineering & Palmers Green International are being guided by NMSI’s HSE advisor.
From the top level of management through to labourers and artisans on site, the entire workforce is taking part in ongoing Induction Training. This means that employees at all levels know what their responsibilities and rights are while working. It has been a pleasure to see labourers who had previously not heard of Health and Safety start to show strong interest in risks thrown up by their roles and having the confidence to report unsafe work.
Additionally our new Clinical Consultant volunteered to take workers through a First Aid and Emergency Response training workshop.
Over 24,000 surveys out of the planned 30,750 have now been completed by NMS partner SCL Social. The qualitative phase is now complete and teams are working on writing up the data which has extended into all 10 regions. All SCL staff involved in the analysis and report-writing phase met in Budapest at the end of July for a workshop and conference. This is a significant accomplishment and will be the completion of a key deliverable of the District Hospital Project.
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.