The development and construction of a new maternity Unit at Kachumbala Heath Centre 3 some 300km from Kampala, deep in the rural area where 95% of the population are peasant farmers, by volunteer professionals and construction apprentices is a truly remarkable story. The brief was to design and construct a new maternity unit to improve local maternity capacity to in-crease the safety of both mother and child. The objectives were to: • reduce the number of home births • increase medical supervision • ensure new mothers remain in the Centre for 24 hours aftercare • promote the importance of primary healthcare Simple to build, use and operate, the unit increases privacy and dignity for patients, promotes cleanliness, and improves working conditions.
Using passive design principles and basic solar, water and waste resource management technologies, the building can operate at net zero energy for extended periods. The construction phase employed 40 local laborers and helped train 30 apprentices. Sourcing local materials for over 90% of the construction meant most of the build cost was spent in nearby businesses, benefitting the local economy. Through its locally sourced material palette, the building sits well in its surroundings, the ochre tones of the terracotta shade screen rooting the building in its place.
Using its split roof form to collect rainwater, one collection tank is used to supply the building while the other is available to the community and family accompanying mothers, to help cook and wash during her stay. Local midwives have been trained in pre-term birth techniques and formed a referral link to the local neo-natal unit which saw over 60 referrals in the first 6 months. Data collected from the centre since the opening in Nov 2017 shows a steady increase in attendance and birth rates, proving the that new facilities have reversed previously declining figures.
Credits: - HKS - Lead Designer - Dan` Flower
The development and construction of a new maternity Unit at Kachumbala Heath Centre 3 some 300km from Kampala, deep in the rural area where 95% of the population are peasant farmers, by volunteer professionals and construction apprentices is a truly remarkable story. The brief was to design and construct a new maternity unit to improve local maternity capacity to in-crease the safety of both mother and child. The objectives were to: • reduce the number of home births • increase medical supervision • ensure new mothers remain in the Centre for 24 hours aftercare • promote the importance of primary healthcare Simple to build, use and operate, the unit increases privacy and dignity for patients, promotes cleanliness, and improves working conditions.
Using passive design principles and basic solar, water and waste resource management technologies, the building can operate at net zero energy for extended periods. The construction phase employed 40 local laborers and helped train 30 apprentices. Sourcing local materials for over 90% of the construction meant most of the build cost was spent in nearby businesses, benefitting the local economy. Through its locally sourced material palette, the building sits well in its surroundings, the ochre tones of the terracotta shade screen rooting the building in its place.
Using its split roof form to collect rainwater, one collection tank is used to supply the building while the other is available to the community and family accompanying mothers, to help cook and wash during her stay. Local midwives have been trained in pre-term birth techniques and formed a referral link to the local neo-natal unit which saw over 60 referrals in the first 6 months. Data collected from the centre since the opening in Nov 2017 shows a steady increase in attendance and birth rates, proving the that new facilities have reversed previously declining figures.