Construction Update - TERREWODE Women's Community Hospital

Great Headway Made in Construction

Our thanks to Martha Ibeno, TERREWODE, for sending regular updates, photos and clear information on progress being made on the hospital. Progress continues in Uganda with close supervision by everyone involved. At Uganda Fistula Fund for TERREWODE, we continue to seek funds to complete construction. We are within $100,000 of meeting the $1,600,000 needed. If you can help reach the top, please go to our donate page. Every dollar gets us closer!

Administration and reintegration buildings are at the roofing level.

The other two buildings should be that far by the end of the month.

“We’ve utilized time well by concentrating on the administration and reintegration blocks. Developments at site are in line with the project’s timeline. It gives the client hope that the project deadline will be met,” Eng. Moses Kinobe, project lead consultant. He said all blocks have reinforcers and maintain window and door measurements as per the design. The progress has been possible due to collaborative efforts between the contractor, the client and community.

There is also good news about the surgical block. “We have completed the earthworks. We hope to start on the foundation before the end of the month,” Eng. David Nadiope, co-project consultant said.

Given the work so far done, the contractor says remaining time of the project is 50 percent, but the actual progress is 42 percent . Redesigning the surgical block did not affect the project’s progress because it is never short of what to do in the site.

From left to right: Eng. Livingstone Seruyange (in red T-shirt), Chairperson of the Building Committee, Mr. Michael Egunyu, LC V Chairperson, Soroti District, Dr. Fred Kirya, Fistula Consultant at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital (in blue shirt) and the District Engineer, Dennis Ocung.

Support from Technical and Political Leaders

There is continued commitment from local leaders towards the successful completion of the Women’s Hospital. This was exemplified with in May 2018 when the Soroti District Chairperson, Mr. George Michael Egunyu led a political and technical team staff to the site to monitor progress.

He remarked, “I am pleased with the project’s progress. It has a good plan. Moreover, several buildings are being put up at the same time.”

The district engineer, Denis Ocung observed that the site’s unutilized land could accommodate upcoming future developments. “Some of the space may be turned into woodlots with the trees acting as windbreaker and shade.”

Dr. Fred Kirya appreciated the spacious rooms and windows. He said, “I am pleased with the design of rooms and their windows in the reintegration block. They are of global standards best fit for patients recovering from obstetric fistula.”

For quality assurance, monthly visits are done on site by the project consultant and Chairman of the Building Committee. In addition to monthly site visits, the Chairman of the Building Committee, Eng. Livingstone Seruyange conducted three impromptu visits, whereas the project consultant was on site twice during this period. “Impromptu visits are necessary to ensure the contractor is following the agreed work plan,” Seruyange said.

Choice of Blocks vs. Bricks: Value for Money

In order to maintain consistency, the project engineers approved use of blocks because they are easier to monitor. That is, since few people construct using blocks, the temptation by builders to steal and sell the blocks to nearby sites is eliminated.

According to the engineers, quality bricks are not available in Teso sub-region. The type of clay in Teso sub-region does not guarantee production of quality bricks. Thus, the project would need to transport them from other areas, increasing costs.

Engineers solve

topography problem on surgical block

In our last update, the engineers were struggling to find a solution for the instability of soils and site levels of surgical block and drainage within budget.

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The engineers redesigned the block to include part of it as storied. “We were also worried about the drainage in the area, considering the uneven terrain levels on the site. We feared that any drastic changes would increase the budget,” Eng. Moses Kinobe said.

In our last update, the engineers were struggling to find a solution for the instability of soils and site levels of surgical block and drainage within budget. The engineers redesigned the block to include part of it as storied.

“We also redesigned trusses to prevent sagging of the ceiling for all major buildings. This change however, does not affect the original roofing design,” said Nadiope.

The Consultant has developed a set of detailed working drawings. It specifies all modifications to the site terrain, to ensure an efficient management of storm water and a visually appealing aesthetic.

The contractor is in advanced stages of effecting these changes, and the result already looks impressive. “Whereas we need an additional USD 18,000 to cater for storage part of surgical block, we are still within budget for terrain," Eng. Seruyange said.