Infrastructure 

Ethiopia Link has funded a number of infrastructure projects in Hossana (see further photos in gallery), and we are grateful to all those many people that have given their time, expertise and financial support. Projects have been decided on jointly by the Hossana hospital management board and the Ethiopia Link group. 

The main project has been restoration of the water and sewage system, and a detailed account of this is given in a separate section adjacent to this.
Other  projects have included the following:

Sorting the staff quarters

Staff residences in Hossana

Jointly with the Clinton Foundation funding refurbishment of the staff residences at Hossana hospital (£5,000 contribution from Ethiopia Link); this included painting throughout, repairing doors and windows, and replacing the toilets and showers

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The lift in the hospital

The lift motor

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Ethiopia Link arranged and funded a professional review of the elevator in the hospital by two international experts and with Ethiopian specialists. Hossana is 
a 4 storey hospital, and the elevator had not been used since the hospital first opened. This poses a problem for getting sick patients to the upper floors. The elevator proved to be in surprisingly good condition despite not having worked for almost 30 years – or perhaps becauseit had not been used. The team got the elevator going again; however it was decided not to take this project further at present due to the frequent power cuts.

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Washstand 

Ethiopia Link funded building of a washstand for relatives to use for washing patients’ clothes. Prior to this being built, relatives only had the grass on which to wash their clothes. 

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Incinerators

Ethiopia Link funded the building of two new incinerators to replace broken ones. Clinical waste needs to be burnt in incinerators to eliminate infection risk. Ethiopia Link funded construction of two more designed by Ato Yeshanew,sanitarian at Hossana.

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Back-up generator 

Ethiopia Link purchased a small diesel generator to provide power for lighting in theatre during power cuts. Operating at night – a fairly common occurrence in Hossana hospital due to the frequent emergencies – was plagued by power cuts, which plunged the operating theatres into darkness. Torches had to be used; so a small diesel generator was purchased to come on immediately during power cuts.

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Placenta Pit

Ethiopia Link funded the building of a placenta pit, designed by the sanitarian in Hossana. This allows safe disposal of placental tissue that previously had gone into an open pit.

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mending

Tom uses the angle grinder to repair the spare water pump. Prior to this it would require a trip to Addis to sort the problem. 
At that stage the pump was working against closed taps and was frequently breaking - now the water project (see elsewhere) has resolved this issue 

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The washing machines

The two big washing machines for the hospital are now over 30 years old, and having given mighty service over the years, have now finally broken down. Simon works with local maintenance staff to repair it - but the problem is significant and will probably need either help from its makers, or a new machine.

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Fixing medical equipment

It is often difficult for maintenance staff at Hossana to fix broke medical equipment. Geraint Williams is adjusting the slit lamp for the eye department

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Local design

Ato Yeshanew with his newly built enclosed and ventilated placenta pit; designed by him to replace the practice of using an open pit.

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 LATRINES
The latrines at the hospital are used by patients and relatives. One block of six latrines served inpatients and relatives, but had become full; it proved impossible to empty it as the waste had solidified.
Ethiopia Link provided funds for the construction of two new latrine blocks, one at each end of the hospital campus. One serves in-patients and their relatives, and a second serves the outpatients area. They are substantial buildings, with six cubicles each, and a large masonry lined collection area  for the waste. They are simple and sustainable, and most importantly, they are also already well used. The new latrine blocks use the principle of the ventilated improved pit latrine, which is a simple yet very effective design allowing ventilation that draws odours and flies away from the latrine. When the pit is filled, it is emptied by a slurry lorry

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Hand pump for the rain water storage tank
Rainfall is collected from the roof of the hospital during the rainy season and stored in a very large concrete tank by the laundry. It is "grey" water, and is not used for drinking, but is available for the laundry, for washing, and for the gardens. Previously it was accessed by lowering a bucket, but Ethiopia Link funded the purchase and installation of a new hand pump which makes it much easier

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