Location
Prosaut, Svay Teab District, Svay Rieng Province, Cambodia
Community Description
Prosaut is a growing community within Svay Teab District, Svay Rieng Province. As it is located along National Road 1 (the road which connects Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City) and is not far from the provincial town or the Bavet border crossing, there is a constant flow of heavy traffic.
Kandieng Reay Health Center officially services 21 villages in the area (with a population of 21, 493 according to a 2012 survey). However, the population has increased steadily since that survey and many people from outside those villages are also beginning to use the health center.
While last year the health center had 9 people on staff and between 1,200 and 1,500 visitors per month, now there are 11 on staff and 1,500 to 2,000 visitors per month. By next year, the staff is expected to double and the patient number to increase dramatically, particularly the number of overnight patients (now only about 10/month).
In the early 1990s, the health center consisted of only a triage center and maternity ward plus a pharmacy. In July of 2013, the health center received funding to renovate 2 buildings that a UN health program had abandoned when the TB rates in the area decreased sufficiently.
Now, there are extra patient wards to care for injuries and longer-term illnesses. The acquisition of an ambulance has further increased patient intake.
Problem Addressed
The health center has only one well to provide for all of its needs for patient care, including drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. There is a single functioning bathroom, completed previously as a Water Charity project, located behind the maternity ward, far from the two new buildings.
There exist 3 other bathrooms, one shower, and outlets for water for drinking and cleaning, but there is not enough water to supply them.
Project Description
This project is to build a new well with a pump, and install a piping system and 3 water filters throughout the facility.
The project has been entirely planned by community members, and will be carried out under the direction of health center staff (including the co-director and a midwife), with extensive community input.
The well will be drilled by professional drillers using the technology common in the area. It is anticipated that the water table will be reached near 40 meters. The above-ground improvements, including a cement platform, will be built by skilled masons.
The new well will be fitted with an electronic pump to circulate the water to various parts of the center.
PVC piping will be installed to bring running water to the bathrooms, shower, operation room, and overnight patient/staff room.
3 water filters will be purchased and installed to ensure that staff and patients have clean, safe water to drink. These will most likely be of the type used by the Red Cross, and recommended by the Peace Corps Medical Officer.
Water Charity funds will be used to pay for equipment, materials, and skilled labor.
The community will contribute additional funds from reserves from the health center’s annual budget.
Project Impact
This project will benefit the 20,000+ residents of 21 villages who use the services of the Kandieng Reay Health Center.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
This project will be implemented under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Christin Spoolstra, who is serving as a third-year volunteer.
Christin previously completed the Kandieng Reay Health Center Bathroom Project – Cambodia and the Hun Sen Prosaut High School Water Project – Cambodia.
Monitoring and Maintenance
Health center staff will monitor the effectiveness of the water supply system, maintain its security and functionality, and perform all necessary repairs.
Comments
This is a necessary and cost-effective method for providing water for all patient needs, leading to improved patient outcomes while contributing to an improved work environment for the staff.
This project is being implemented as part of the Water Charity WHOLE WORLD Water Program – Cambodia. Donations to continue the overall program are being accepted on the program page.
This project has been funded by WHOLE WORLD Water as part of the Water Charity WHOLE WORLD Water Program – Cambodia.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.