NZAID Funding of Bamyan Hospital Maternity Ward
1 July
Work has begun on building a New Zealand-funded maternity ward in the local hospital in Bamyan, Afghanistan where the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team is based.
Team members recently attended a 'ground breaking' ceremony at the hospital, which signified the beginning of construction of the maternity ward, funded by NZAID, New Zealand's international aid and development agency.
Group Captain John Duxfield, Senior National Officer, represented the NZ PRT while Lieutenant Nicholas Millward, RNZN, participated in the symbolic laying of stones. Group Captain Duxfield said, "This maternity ward is an important addition to Bamyan which has the highest mortality rate in Afghanistan of both newborns and their mothers". The ward is scheduled to take six months to complete and will house two labour rooms, five rooms each with two beds, a bathroom unit and an office.
Governor Sorabi and local officials attended the official opening ceremony and praised the efforts of the New Zealanders and New Zealand Aid.
Acting Director of NZAID, Don Clarke said, "NZAID remains committed to helping Afghanistan get back on its feet. We have made Bamyan province a focus of this work and with this project, and others such as the developing rural livelihoods and human rights projects based in the community, New Zealand is really making a difference."
Lieutenant Millward said, "Current facilities at Bamyan were extremely limited in their capacity to support all aspects of pregnancy. This project will help to promote obstetric services while encouraging women to use ante-natal services throughout their pregnancy, and ultimately to give birth in the centre. It seeks to actively reduce deaths, while increasing the hospital's capacity to look after women".
Lieutenant Millward has been the driving force behind this project and has liaised closely with the hospital to get it underway.
Photo:
Lieutenant Nicholas Millward lays the stone foundation of the hospital while Group Captain John Duxfield and officials look on.
Ends
For further information please contact: Defence Public Relations Officer, Lieutenant Commander Andrew Lincoln, (04) 529 6031 or 021 806926, and
NZAID Communications, Catrina McDiarmid, (04) 439 8314 or 021 588827
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