Changsha, China, June 5, 08 (MOHS-SLENA) - The Review work on the proposed design of the Chinese Integrative Hospital project near the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences campus at Kossoh Town, Hastings, has started at the China, Hunan Province Architectural Design Institute with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation visiting Team making appropriate inputs that would reflect the health service delivery needs of the people of Sierra Leone.

The strategic location of the hospital would benefit both the urban and rural population, as well as the College of Medicine.

Presenting the hospital Plan, the Architect, Mr. Zhao Yong, said the hospital building would be 6098.8 square metre, with residence for the Chinese Medical Team estimated at 772 square metres.

Other facilities in the Design content analysis he said included a water pumping generator room, departments and wards with linking corridors and separate entrances, male and female emergency observation rooms, surgical and medical departments, eye care, and ear, nose and throat units.

Also in the plan are improved ventilation open corridors, anti slip floor tiles, sewage septic tanks, and an equipment and anti malaria treatment unit, adding that there will be training and capacity building for staff facility to be provided by the Chinese government among others.

In her presentation, the Structure Engineer, Mrs. Xiao Xu, described the building as a 50 years anti-fire grade two complex, and a wind-low specification of Chinese standards.

She described the characteristics of the building foundation as invincible, and structurally designed with concrete, adding that the entire structure adopted is a new design with air condition and mechanical ventilation

Making their general comment on the design, the Sierra Leone Team described the structure as an acceptable standard, and made some inputs which both sides endorsed. The team noted that some of the inscriptions on the departments are not typical to Sierra Leone and suggested that: The Infection Department be renamed Micro Biology, Salvage department to meaning Resuscitation Room, Condolence Room to Funeral Parlour and Facial Unit to ENT Department.

Two Maternity rooms, one for normal delivery, the other for complication with maternity theatre close to each other, Nurses station and the X-RAY design were all endorsed among other consensus.

The planting of trees and flowers to beautify the complex and the environment, as well as the establishment of an Intensive Care and DIALYSIS Units were highly commendable.

Other presentations from the Water Supply and Drainage Designer, the Air Condition and Ventilation Engineer, the Budget Estimation Engineer and that of the Electrical Engineer also formed part of the Design Review working sessions.

Deliberation on the Hospital equipment continues tomorrow for the final conclusion of the Review exercise.

JAK / MOHS / SLENA.