The Project
Based on input from the current clinic’s staff and comparable Rwandan health centers, it has been determined that the Gashonyi Clinic is unable to provide basic clinical services due to poor equipment, lack of space, and unreliable electricity. This project seeks to address these problems in 3 phases:
EWB-UW is working continually with experts in the fields of medicine, global health, architecture, and instrumentation in order to achieve these design goals.
Current Situation
We are currently in phase 1 of our approach. A brief introduction to the needs at the Gashonyi Clinic was given to EWB-UW-Rwanda in May 2009; our program was able to commit a design team to the project in August, 2009. We have since been conducting research and drafting plans for the clinic expansion from the UW-Madison Campus. At our current stage in design, prompt assessment is imperative for progress; the project is ready to perform an on-the-ground assessment of the health clinic in Gashonyi, present preliminary designs to community officials for feedback, and begin the face-to-face programming and meetings necessary to build trust with this new community. We have gathered much information during the January 2011 trip to Rwanda and are now in to the process of compiling the information to create a set of plans to be sent for approval by the Rwandan Ministry of Health.
Goals and Activities
Phase 1 (Primary Goals for use of donated funds):
The site assessment will include a survey of the land donated for expansion (spot elevations, topography, drainage paths, existing and planned roadways, local wind currents, soil type, substantial vegetation or rock debris, potential pest species) drawn to scale and orientated with respect to magnetic north. A detailed floor plan and cross section of the clinic will be sketched while on-site (all rooms, windows, doors, permanent structures, cross section showing integration of materials- sizes, spacing, methods of connection) . Construction techniques will be noted and compared to that seen at other functional Rwandan Clinics. Direct communication with staff members about clinic needs, an investigation of material supply and labor availability, and the current clinic’s case load distribution will be recorded. Visits to clinical facilities currently operating in Rwanda, communication with the Rwandan Ministry of Health, and feedback on preliminary floor plans (already drafted by EWB-UW) will be elicited. Preliminary programming involving hand-washing and basic hygiene will begin, and continue at the clinic after EWB-UW leaves.
Phase 2, 3 (Goals of Broader Expansion, furthered by activities for donated funds):
Provide a safer environment for both patients and staff. Along with health concerns, we will implement sustainable, efficient designs utilizing renewable energies, local materials and labor to best benefit the community. Finally, local individuals will be educated in basic hygiene and public health.
Based on input from the current clinic’s staff and comparable Rwandan health centers, it has been determined that the Gashonyi Clinic is unable to provide basic clinical services due to poor equipment, lack of space, and unreliable electricity. This project seeks to address these problems in 3 phases:
- Assessment, preliminary health programming, and establishment of additional local relationships (2011),
- Designing and approval of floor plans for the new clinic. (2011-2012),
- Evaluation of improvement, implementation of additional community health education (2012-2013).
EWB-UW is working continually with experts in the fields of medicine, global health, architecture, and instrumentation in order to achieve these design goals.
Current Situation
We are currently in phase 1 of our approach. A brief introduction to the needs at the Gashonyi Clinic was given to EWB-UW-Rwanda in May 2009; our program was able to commit a design team to the project in August, 2009. We have since been conducting research and drafting plans for the clinic expansion from the UW-Madison Campus. At our current stage in design, prompt assessment is imperative for progress; the project is ready to perform an on-the-ground assessment of the health clinic in Gashonyi, present preliminary designs to community officials for feedback, and begin the face-to-face programming and meetings necessary to build trust with this new community. We have gathered much information during the January 2011 trip to Rwanda and are now in to the process of compiling the information to create a set of plans to be sent for approval by the Rwandan Ministry of Health.
Goals and Activities
Phase 1 (Primary Goals for use of donated funds):
The site assessment will include a survey of the land donated for expansion (spot elevations, topography, drainage paths, existing and planned roadways, local wind currents, soil type, substantial vegetation or rock debris, potential pest species) drawn to scale and orientated with respect to magnetic north. A detailed floor plan and cross section of the clinic will be sketched while on-site (all rooms, windows, doors, permanent structures, cross section showing integration of materials- sizes, spacing, methods of connection) . Construction techniques will be noted and compared to that seen at other functional Rwandan Clinics. Direct communication with staff members about clinic needs, an investigation of material supply and labor availability, and the current clinic’s case load distribution will be recorded. Visits to clinical facilities currently operating in Rwanda, communication with the Rwandan Ministry of Health, and feedback on preliminary floor plans (already drafted by EWB-UW) will be elicited. Preliminary programming involving hand-washing and basic hygiene will begin, and continue at the clinic after EWB-UW leaves.
Phase 2, 3 (Goals of Broader Expansion, furthered by activities for donated funds):
Provide a safer environment for both patients and staff. Along with health concerns, we will implement sustainable, efficient designs utilizing renewable energies, local materials and labor to best benefit the community. Finally, local individuals will be educated in basic hygiene and public health.