Rotary Global Grant for HIPZ project

On Wednesday 22nd January the club was treated to an update on the progress of the HIPZ project in Zanzibar. Two members of the project team, Jon Ross and Roma Walker gave us a whistle stop tour of the main events of the last few years, starting with one hospital in the south of the island, concentrating on obstetrics, growing from there to cover other specialities, most recently establishing an eye clinic.

Following the success of the first hospital, the project team were asked by the Zanzibar government to work the same transformation on a hospital in the north, which is now under way.

Also in progress is the establishment of succession planning for trained staff, pharmaceutical supplies and education of the local population as to how to make best use of these new hospital facilities.

None of this would have been possible without funding from Rotary international and matching grants. Clive Hawkins from Nailsea and Backwell explained how this was done acknowledging the support he had had from the team.   With support from Nailsea & Backwell Club, and Portishead Club the total grant was $99,000

Their main message was to thank the Club for its support.

This support continued as President Gill presented them with a cheque for a further £1500, from Stonehouse Club assisted with a local Rotary Distict grant.  

(The photo above showing Roma,  Jon and President Gill, and here - Clive Hawkins with Nailsea President Roger Smith and Gill.)

Learn more of the project here.