Report on the Mokanji Hospital Project:
Architects and engineers from Engineers Ministries International (eMi) are near completion of a site plan for the Mokanji Hospital in Sierra Leone. This hospital was given to Global Outreach Mission by three paramount chiefs (i.e., state governors) in September 2007. The team left on February 26 in some very difficult weather conditions. The eMi Team, arrived on Friday night in Freetown and were transported to the hospital site on Saturday. They quickly determined that the basic structure of the hospital was intact and in good shape. The interior was damaged and needs to be rehabilitated and the roof needs to be replaced. They determined that some of the zinc sheets on the roof can be used in other buildings on the compound, and so there would be no loss of materials.
We had two meetings with the local chiefs and people. They were very interested in the progress we were making and what the future development looks like. We assured them that we were trusting the Lord to provide teams and funding, and as soon as we are able, we will begin the process of renovation, they were also assured local workers would be used on the projects .
At the time the hospital was handed over to Global Outreach, there were many testimonies of people who were dying prematurely because they could not get to the nearest medical facility in time. The average life expectancy in Sierra Leone is 42 years!
We have seen the preliminary drawings and it looks like they are going to recommend a four-step process.
Phase I will be to put a clinic in the hospital at one end where the building is in fair shape. There will need to be some interior work; a door will need to be punched out in the concrete wall. This will give us space to treat more than one patient at a time and to start medical services in the country. This first phased is estimated at $65,000.
Phase 2 will be the main section of the hospital, which will be the emergency ward, pharmacy, and doctors’ offices and we might be able to keep some patients overnight if we have proper medical staff.
Phase 3 will be the men’s ward, which is the part of the hospital that is damaged the most. The walls are sound, but the roof is totally weakened by termites. When this wing is finished, we will be able to house more patients. The original hospital, which I understand at one time, was the best medical facility in the entire country, had 46 beds.
Phase 4 will be the surgery suites. Dr. Joe Harvey (from GOM Health Services) laid out the locations for the various tables, lights, medical machines, linens, surgical instruments and the surgeons’ preparation room.
Full construction documents and estimates will be completed in 45 days. We have begun to schedule construction teams for the fall of this year, with the Lords provisions for project materials.
