The construction of the mini-hospital is progressing quickly. In the week that Isabelle spent in Chepel at the end of April, the ground floor was placed on the earthquake-proof foundation. Apart from an excavator, there is no mechanical support and almost all work is carried out by hand and with the simplest tools. Besides Isabelle, the pictures show the project manager Karma (in a red T-shirt), to the left of him the construction manager, and 2 workers. The Health Post is expected to open in autumn 2024.
There are still around 5,000 Euros missing from the total budget for creation. This is due, among other things, to the fact that after the construction site was excavated, it became apparent that a retaining wall still had to be built behind the two-story building in order to make the entire area earthquake and mudslide-proof.
Equipment and staff for the Health Post
In addition, during the on-site visit and discussions with the three employees, it became clear that the planned equipment could be significantly improved and supplemented. The midwife also needs official training (certificate), for which she must complete a 2-month course. In principle, both the equipment and the staff are provided by the Nepalese government. However, the construction of the health post is carried out with financial resources (donations) from Friends of Chepel e.V.
The staff – Mira Adikari, paramedic, Sabita Gimire, community nurse and midwife, and Sormila Rai, admin support and caretaker activities – are already working in a temporary facility below the new building, which currently only consists of two rooms, and are very much looking forward to moving with them soon significantly improved options.