Background
Eldoret is situated in the Western Highlands of Kenya on the Northern Rift. Hundreds of thousands in the district live below the nation’s poverty line and cannot afford basic medical care. They have to suffer with health problems that could be treated relatively easily.
The Deliverance Church in Eldoret longs to provide quality and affordable healthcare to the suffering households within their community. Aylesbury Vale Community Church shares this vision and is raising funds to build, equip, staff and run a desperately needed health centre in Eldoret.
Objectives
The Rapha Medical Centre (RMC) will make primary healthcare available initially to 25 Kenyans each day. When complete it will host a MTCH (Maternal Child and Health Care facility), a counselling room, laboratory, pharmacy, examination room, injection room and a clinician’s room.
Besides the physical facility the RMC will involve in preventive measures to maintain a healthy society and campaign on healthcare services. RMC shall embody an all-round health care provision for the family and shall spear head health education in order to maintain a healthy community.
DC Eldoret through the RMC shall liaise all with other other stakeholders in the government in enhancing an effective healthcare system. The aim is to efficiently respond to health issues and shall seek growth and expansion.
Update May 2012
As can be seen above, the main RMC building has been completed. Approximate room sizes are as follows: (Scales in feet): Room one: 9 x10; Room two: 9x11; Room 3: 9x11; Room 4: 9x10; Room 5: 13x10; Room 6 : 13x10; Room 7: 10 x 10; Room 8 : 9 x 15. There are total 14 rooms; 6 rooms are joint to the 8 rooms
Gnanaraj Gnanaiah from AVCC has been working in Kenya with DC Eldoret since end of April. Great progress has been made. Recent items nearing completion:
(a) All plumbing works. Toilets for men, women and staff with showers,wall tiling, flooring and doors. For security they are adding an iron grill door at the entrance.
(b) All carpentry works: This includes furnishing all rooms and waiting hall with 13 chairs, 8 tables, wall cabinet for storages, drawers etc.
(c) All electrical works: They have done some work before but it needs completing. Lights to the toilets, floruscent lights and some remaining wiring.
(d) Incinerator: Building a new Incinerator off site, as advised by planning commission and the environmental agency. It has been verbally agreed that a license will be issued from them upon completion which is
(e) Staff are being recruited; Clinical Officer, Nurse, Lab Technician and Domestic worker
(f) Medical Supplies have been ordered for imminent delivery.
We are expecting equipment and drugs to arrive before the inspections from the Kenya health authority during the first week of June and thereafter the issue of licenses. As result of excellent recent progress, we expect that the Rapha Health Centre (RMC) will be opened on Thursday 14th June 2012. Members of both churches will be present to witness this wonderful occasion.
The launch of the Rapha Health Centre will be a major achievement and sees us overcome two tragic events:
- On the afternoon of 20th November 2005, three members of AVCC on mission left for Kisumu accompanied by three friends from the Deliverance Church in Eldoret. The three from the UK were to fly to Nairobi and finally head back to the UK. At around 3:00pm, they were involved in a fatal road accident. The accident claimed the lives of two friends: Colin Blamires from the UK and Pastor Nicholas Isiaho from Eldoret.
- Ethnic violence after national elections in 2007/8 which affected Eldoret particularly badly.
These events and the desire to help those suffering have driven the determination of DC Eldoret and AVCC to see the project completed. We are looking forward to celebrating the opening. RMC will make a substantial and long-term difference to the impoverished and sick people of Eldoret.
For more information or to make a donation to the Eldoret Health Project, please write to:
Martin Oliver
UK Project Facilitator
18 Craigwell Avenue
Aylesbury
Bucks
HP21 7AF