We have great news to announce. Our Operational Theatre (OT) is still the same since our start. No need to clarify this facility really has to be enhanced. To achieve this has been very challenging for obvious reasons. We prepared this for a long time and now we are ready to move forward. We are very grateful to the two institutions that will make it possible to establish a contemporary OT: The Hospitainer Foundation (LINK EN LOGO TOEVOEGEN) and the Schumacher-Kramer Stichting (‘SK Foundation’), in collaboration with the Lion Heart Foundation (LHF) and our hospital.
The two institutions mentioned are willing to donate a fully equipped OT. The Hospitainer Foundation will deliver a Double OT-room in two ISO 20ft shipping containers, which are combined to create floorspace for surgical procedures. The Double-OT room is installed on location by a Hospitainer team and comes equipped with medical equipment needed to run an OT room. The Double OT room will be connected to the existing Medical Centre. Therefore, a watertight sluice/connection between the existing building and the Double OT room must be constructed, potentially also taking into account the pressure regime required for infection prevention.
To enable the Double OT Room additional investments in infrastructure have to be done. The aforementioned connections and the foundation for the Double OT room require considerable amounts. This is where the SK Foundation come in. They will fund the investments needed and moreover they will fund transport to Yele, additional medical equipment, medications, maintenance in a 5-years period and costs of staffing in the first year. SK Foundation is also willing to fund sending an AITG expat for 1 year to support a propercommissioning of the operating room. It will be clear that the value of this donation is huge. The Lion Heart Foundation likes to thank the Hospitainer Foundation and the SK Foundation tremendously. The SK Foundation has supported us in many ways for a very long time. They really reflect the ambition to create sustainable impact. Their commitment is to be appreciated invaluable. In like manner we value the contribution from the Hospitainer Foundation which will also create sustainable impact. The new OT will enhance health care, attract more patients and increase sustainable local income. The donation is really making the difference.
Last but not least LHF likes to thank the team in Yele, former Medical Superintendents (Martijn Knap and Heleen Koudijs), former Medical Officers (like Lisa Cornelissen and others) for preparing the project proposals. Also thanks to Carlijn van Esch for connecting with the Hospitainer Foundation in the first phase.