Rotary Supports Hospital Project in Ghana
The Rotary Club of Canterbury is linking with its four Pentangular partners to rebuild a hospital in the West African state of Ghana.
The five Rotary Clubs from Canterbury, Ludenscheid in Germany, Leuven in Belgium, St Quentin in France and Utrecht in Holland, are pledging more than 300 thousand US dollars (£172,000) over the next three to five years to refurbish and re-equip the hospital at Dodi Papase in the Volta Region of Ghana.
External view of Marie Theresa Hospital, Dodi Papase, Ghana
The Maria Theresa Hospital serves a local population of 100,000 people as well as many others from over the border of the neighbouring country, Togo. The plans include rebuilding the operating theatre, providing a new power plant, a new water purification plant, medical equipment and staff training.
Representatives from the five Rotary Clubs paid a fact finding visit to the hospital in summer 2008 to monitor progress and hold discussions with the local project managers. The Canterbury Rotary Club was represented by Past President Sidney Denham, who lives in Harbledown.
Rotary representatives from the five Pentangular clubs.
Canterbury member, Sidney Denham, centre
Sidney Denham commented: “The visit was a complete success with all participants being convinced of both the need for the refurbishment and that the project will be well managed. This project, which shows international Rotary cooperation at its best, will bring up to date the medical support provided to this remote part of Ghana.” He added: “We’re confident the money will be well spent and that the business side of the venture will be well run. The German Rotary Volunteer Doctors organisation, which has plenty of experience with such projects in Ghana, will spearhead the management in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Accra.”
The five Rotary Clubs will be monitoring developments closely and progress reports will be released throughout the life of the project.
