2016 was a year that focused on media, organization and management for MaterCare International (MCI) as well as marking significant milestones for our 30 bed maternity hospital and Merti clinic, #ProjectIsiolo.
Project Isiolo: 2016 Review
2016 Project Milestones and Construction Updates:
A new Field Officer was hired and has been operating in Isiolo since October
The Merti Clinic received a new solar system that was installed in November
Laundry and kitchen facilities were completed and are now open and operating. The aim is to also generate income from the laundry and kitchen with contracts from outside businesses.
The on call doctors apartment is 95% complete and now need to furnish. ($3000 approx)
Completed the workshop and storage in the basement of the laundry and kitchen. Remaining section has to be completed.
Completed construction of the underground water tanks that will collect rainwater for use around the hospital compound, for example, the vegetable garden where the Sisters grow produce for use in the hospital, as well as to sell excess for income.
Upgraded and completed much needed maintenance.
Completed the security fence around the hospital compound. This will provide security for mothers, babies and staff members as well as secure expensive equipment.
Current Status
For 2017 MCI will continue the next phase of construction depending on donations/grants. Construction goals include:
Completion/equipping of the laundry and kitchen basement which will have 3 store rooms, 5 offices, and a conference hall. (approx:$45,000)
Construct ante-natal clinic/out-patient which will include offices for doctors and nurses, outpatients, pharmacy and laboratory. (approx:$250,000)
Construct mortuary (small) (approx: $28,000)
An appeal is needed urgently for staff salaries. In order to keep the hospital operating and staffed.
An appeal is also needed for an anaesthetic machine as soon as possible ($28,000 estimated cost).
The national doctors strike has resulted in significant increase in number of deliveries at the hospital.
Catholic Health Professionals Can Still Deliver: Confronting today's moral and ethical challenges
MaterCare International is excited to offer, “Catholic Health Professionals Can Still Deliver; Confronting Today’s Moral and Ethical Challenges”, at our 11th International Conference in Rome from the 20th – 24th of September this year to be held at the Istituto Maria S.S Bambina, opposite St. Peter’s Basilica.
Every other year, MaterCare hosts an international conference in Rome to bring together Catholic obstetricians, medical professionals, religious leaders, students and seminarians from around the world.
This conference in unlike any other conference offered to health professionals. It focuses on spiritual considerations, bioethical decision making, and current professional issues. The 2017 conference will all focus on developing a Catholic response to today's challenges through apologetics.
The comment made by a number of registrants in the first conference from 2001 was, “I did not know I was not the only one who felt lonely and marginalized as an OB/GYN.”
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the formation of MaterCare International, the 50th anniversary of the UK Abortion Act (1967) which made abortion legal in all of Great Britain, and the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution which in 1920 led to the Russian Soviet Republic becoming the first country in the world to allow abortion in all circumstances.
Be part of a unique conference like no other, focused on bringing Catholic Health Professionals together to become empowered and reinvigorated by the faith for the betterment of their professions.
Register today by contacting Project Manager, Simon Walley, at info@matercare.org or by phone at 1-709-579-6472.
To our supporters, donors and volunteers... THANK YOU! -The MaterCare Team
