First Contact Sanitary Establishments (ESPC)

Côte d’Ivoire, 2020-2023

Healthcare

Project story

Côte d’Ivoire’s government entrusted Promed International to develop a turnkey project aimed at designing, building and equipping 102 new clinics and reconstruct 247 existing primary and secondary care clinics across the country, known as ESPC – First Contact Sanitary Establishments.

The project was split into two equal stages, with the second stage optional. All ESPC’s were designed as self-sufficient health centers, with inpatient and outpatient services for general community medicine and maternity care.

The 102 new clinics comprise three different models, based upon the size of the population they will serve. Each new unit also includes on-site accommodations for the medical staff and is equipped with basic medical equipment.

The 247 rehabilitated clinics are of various sizes and in various states of repair.

The process

Challenge

This massive project coverings about half of the Côte d’Ivoire’s territory. Access to some sites is hampered by poor road conditions and collapsed bridges, some the result of high seasonal rainfall and flooding, and some of the villages are on islands, accessible only by boat. Great distances and long travel times make it difficult to monitor construction works, a situation further complicated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Approach

To allow for proper supervision and control, the work was split into three separate phases to be performed sequentially. Another split divided the work area of each phase between two separate inspection teams, which included a foreign manager as well as local engineers and inspectors living in the nearby area.

Solution

After recruiting high-quality staff, it was decided to base the inspection teams at the project’s “center of gravity“ in order to reduce travel times. Promed also centralized some of the building materials in order to ensure consistently high standards and uniform finish at all sites, despite the fact that they will be executed by various subcontractors. We also adapted the "Negev Soft” app in order to help collect, manage and share engineering data from the field on a daily basis.

Some numbers

SDGs we followed

3· 8· 10

Good health and well-being• Decent work and economic growth• Reduced inequalities

Medical clinics provided with construction, rehabilitation and equipment supply

349

Types of ESPC models for maternity, pediatrics and general medicine

Some numbers

SDGs we followed

3· 8· 10

Good health and well-being• Decent work and economic growth• Reduced inequalities

Medical clinics provided with construction, rehabilitation and equipment supply

349

Types of ESPC models for maternity, pediatrics and general medicine

In conversation
with Ilan Schwartz

Ilan Schwartz is the Front Field Manager in Côte d’Ivoire.

By being here, on the ground, and working in conjunction with the project management, we were able to develop plans that would ensure the project’s success. I feel lucky to have been able to work with top professionals and to have had an opportunity to see results.

On one hand, I’ve been able to develop ties to people living inland in Côte d’Ivoire. On the other hand, I’ve been working in close contact with the project administration. As a result of both, I’ve gained considerable experience that I can use in the future for creating such facilities while also witnessing their impact for the local populations. People here are very happy to see something good coming to their villages.