Muzaffarabad, 22 January 2006 -
Doctors Worldwide (DWW), an international medical relief organization,
announces completion of the construction of Kumikot Basic Health
Unit (BHU) in District Muzaffarabad of Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
This is the first permanent pre-fabricated structure of its kind
put in the entire region since the October 8th earthquake.
This project is fully funded by
Doctors Worldwide chapter in Turkey whereas Nonprofit Empowerment Group
(NEG), a USA based consulting firm has provided design and implementation
services. The structure is built by TURCON Ltd, an Islamabad-based
construction company from Turkey.
"This modern, durable, time and cost efficient reconstruction of BHU is a trend-setting venture. We and our strategic partners take immense pleasure in serving people of Kumikot through this project," says DWW Country Coordinator, Dr. Tariq H. Cheema.
"At time when most of our healthcare facilities are damaged, having Kumikot BHU moving back into a permanent structure within weeks gives us relief and provide great hope for other centers that require rebuilding. We hope to see more such projects coming up in near future," explains Muzaffarabad District Health Officer, Dr. Sardar Mehmood Ahmed Khan.
Since October 11th, tens of DWW medical staff and volunteers have participated in providing emergency medical relief. From the beginning of December DWW is focusing on providing primary medical care as well as participating in rehabilitation efforts.
For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:
In Pakistan : Dr. Tariq H. Cheema, MD, Country Coordinator, Tel:+ 92 300 440 8797 t.cheema@doctorsworldwide.or
At DWW Headquarters, UK: Dr. Kani
Torun, Executive Director, Tel: + 44 0161 292 5788 info@doctorsworldwide.org
| Project Partners |
- Doctors Worldwide - Turkish
Chapter (Sponsors)
- District Health Office - Muzaffarabad (Custodian) - Nonprofit Empowerment Group - USA (Consultants) - Turcon (Pvt.) Limited - Turkey (Engineers) |
| Project Highlights | - First of its kind pre-fabricated
permanent structure built since October 8th 2005 earthquake
- The load bearing parts of the buildings are made of steel profiles (Steel columns, steel roof trusses, and profiles) so that they have resistance to earthquake. - The roof and steel frames are designed to withstand wind and snow load. - The foam between panels gives proper thermal insulation. As a comparison, 5 cm thick sandwich panel gives same thermal insulation with 30 cm concrete wall. - The panels are fireproof. - The new structure accommodates a full-service clinic with a 2 bed room residential quarter for the staff. - The center will be providing medical service to a population of more than 22,000 people living in and around Kumikot. - The construction time is shorter (4-6 weeks) and cost is less (about 30%) than putting a conventional concrete and brick structure. |
| Contacts | - Dr. Sardar Mehmood Ahmed Khan
- District Health Officer MZD, Mobile: (+92) 0300-5154993
- Dr. Tariq H. Cheema - Country Coordinator, Doctors Worldwide, Mobile: (+92) 0300-4408797, t.cheema@doctorsworldwide.com |
Doctors Worldwide (DWW)was established in April 2000 to provide medical relief and aid to those who are in need without any access or means to basic medical care. DWW provides medical relief to all citizens of the earth in need regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity or nationality. Doctors Worldwide works with other organizations in order to minimize costs and maximize the efficiency of its operations. In its short history, Doctors Worldwide has already provided medical care to tens of thousands of people in four continents as well as facilitated the medical relief work of a number of other not-for-profit international relief organizations. Doctors Worldwide works on these three platforms to provide medical aid: 1) Emergency Relief, 2) Extended Medical Relief, 3) Rehabilitation & Reconstruction. www.doctorsworldwide.org