A hospital for mothers and children in Ethiopia

Caritas used BBM for technical support in the planning of the hospital. Following the planning phase, BBM assisted with the tendering and contract award and took over the subsequent construction supervision. The procurement and delivery of the technological core components were also included in BBM's tasks. For this, the BBM has a whole list of criteria that influence purchasing decisions. For example: Are maintenance and repairs possible locally? Can the project partner afford operation and maintenance? Will spare parts be available long enough? Can the components withstand the extreme local conditions (rain, humidity, drought) and external influences (e.g. termites)? Is the technology ecologically justifiable? Is the cost / benefit ratio reasonable? BBM supplied the following components, among others:

• Ventilation system with special filters for the operating theatres,
• oxygen plant and vacuum plant for the production of medical gases,
• an industrial laundry,
• equipment for a central disinfection department
  (instrument washer, ultrasonic cleaning system and two redundant high-performance steam sterilisers)
• as well as various medical equipment.
   

The components were installed by a local team, which received help from our BBM technicians and volunteers when needed. It was particularly important to pass on knowledge and know-how to the local experts, as they are to take over responsibility for smooth operation over time.

A central task was still to ensure an uninterrupted energy supply for the new mother-child hospital through solar power and powerful lithium batteries. A separate power supply seemed absolutely necessary, because power failures in the public grid are the order of the day. 

The clinic is the first and only specialised centre for mother-child health in the whole of southern Ethiopia. It offers highly professional medical care in obstetrics, gynaecology and paediatrics.