News around Rotary - be Inspired!
Rotary Adelaide Central is proud to be supporting the local team building this brand new local community hospital in West Africa, Sierra Leone - Tombo (Tumbu).
Although building this hospital itself is not a project of the Rotary Club of Adelaide Central, it is heartening for our Club members to be regularly updated on its progress and future plans, noting the value of the hospital equipment we have sourced and intend to transport from Australia to Sierra Leone ... our primary part of the overall project.
Read About Rotary Adelaide Central's Project
getting a 40ft Container of Medical Equipment to Sierra Leone
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The Salmana Heart Foundation hospital is under construction in a remote area of Sierra Leone called Tumbu. It’s about 1.5 hours drive south of the Coastal Port Capital of Sierra Leone, Freetown. In context ... this is the equivalent of driving from Adelaide to Victor Harbor.
Tumbu region has very little medical assistance. Hence around 2015, local Adelaide migrant Ibrahim Barrie and his partner decided with their new lives in Australia, they could help disadvantaged people from their Homeland, by building a hospital.
It started with securing a 1 Acre plot of land, giving them flexibility to manage a Staged build.
Stage 1 is a U-Shaped single level construction with room for 30 beds. 10 for women on one side. 10 for Men in the other. 10 for children in the centre.
Due for completion in early to mid 2023, Stage 1 will start with a flat, concrete roof, which will double as a floor, ready for Stage 2, where a second storey can be added as need (and funding) permits, hoping for late 2023. The future plans are to move the Women's and Children's wards to the Top level, and include maternity support and a Laboratory.
Plans for Stage One’s Interim Management running the Hospital will aim to source one permanent Doctor and a casual Doctor, supported by 10 Nurses. A technician will maintain all Equipment; plus a range of Cleaners, Chefs, Stocks controllers, an HR team, and Security personnel.
Ibrahim’s long term aim is to facilitate this for his community and give people basic Medical and Holistic Care. The aim is for people to pay for their treatment, however at an affordable price. Monies raised will be to cover paying Staff and general running costs, plus contribute to future development of the Hospital structure and services. So effectively, it will be a Private hospital facility operating with Cost Recovery.
By mid 2023, the team are hoping to begin with an Out Patient unit only to work with any common diagnosis and provide referrals for any major complications, with non-major medical patients able to be admitted for a short-term period.
In later stages, the plan is to expand to three separate Buildings of a similar size to Stage 1 & 2, with the hope to also have an Ambulance able to transport patients.
Another key piece of equipment, noting this town’s electricity supply is poor, is the inclusion of a Solar Power system and/or Generator for added redundancy.
If you have ideas to share, we'd love to hear from you.
Please contact our Club via President@RotaryAdelaideCentral.org.au
Thank You
Tumbu (Tombo) in distance from Freetown (Sierra Leone's Capital and primary Sea Port) is the equivalent to driving from Adelaide to Victor Harbor 1.5 hours south. In fact even the shape of their peninsula is very similar to our own Fleurieu Peninsula.
March 2023 Progress : Walls are up. Roof is on. And now the commencement of internal fitout begins.
2 April 2023 - Floor Tiles being laid. Exciting progress.
28 March 2023 - The first of the doors are installed. Rendering of the wall surrounding complete. Next step, windows, tiles and painting.
It is back breaking, manual work, mixing the concrete to pour the entire roof of Stage 1 in one day. But the community spirit got the job done - even when the water truck broke down late in the day.
In February, while pouring the concrete roof of Stage 1, the water truck broke down. These lovely locals leapt into action and volunteered to cart water from wells around the local village. A magnificent spirit that got the job done! By late evening, the last of the concrete was poured with many thanks to these passionate people!
As the Bucket of Concrete rises from ground level, it gets emptied into a giant wheelbarrow, dragged by 4 men to the next position and spread. Back breaking work. March 2023
Planning Ahead - March 2023 - the Staircase is in place, that will later lead to the 2nd Floor of the hospital when built. Currently, the Roof of Stage 1, will serve as the floor for Stage 2, hopefully starting in late 2023 / early 2024.
September 2022 - Stage 1 of the Salmana Heart Foundation Hospital - Walls are Up. You can see the U-Shape which will form the Womens / Childrens / Mens wards.