This project is part of Bridge Water Project's program in Western Kenya. What follows is direct from them:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The proposed Imulama Dispensary started in the year 2002 through the efforts of Imulama Community members who used to go long distances looking for health facilities. In the year 2007, the Development Committee of Imulama Dispensary made an appeal to Ikolomani Constituency Development Funds (CDF) requesting for funds of which they were funded and managed to construct permanent buildings to the facility which enabled the health workers to start offering services. The facility has enough room to admit in patients female and male and children. But due to lack of water supply in the facility, they currently offer service to outpatients only while those that require admission are referred to Kakamega Level 5 hospital which is far away like 17 – 20 KM from Imulama Community and the surrounding area where it serves.
The Imulama Dispensary committee made an appeal to Bridge Water Project requesting for assistance of a borehole to be drilled to enable the Imulama Dispensary facility to function fully as it should.
CURRENT WATER SOURCE
Currently the facility get water from the Ishiakhondo spring located 800M away from the facility’s compound. Usually the Administration hires women from around to fetch water in 20litres jerrican for a fee of 10 – 20 shs each, which costs the Dispensary an average costs of Kshs. 1200 – 2000 per month.
The water from the said spring records a turbidity value of 80 way below the World Health Organization (WHO) parameters of good water for human consumption.
The facility records indicates that most patients suffer from water borne related diseases i.e Diarrhea, Amoeba sis, Dysentery as a result of using water from the spring mentioned.
POPULATION
The facility almost offers its services to an average of 800 – 1000 per month all are outpatients; 4 nurses, 4 community health workers, 1 community health extension officer, 2 cleaners and 2 security guards. The estimated population of 1014 people. (Editor's Note: While this many people may have access on any given day, realistically a single water source can only support a population of 350-500 people. This community would be a good candidate for a second project in the future so adequate water is available. To learn more, click here.)
HYGIENE AND SANITATION
The permanent buildings in the facility are washed on daily basis. There is 1 pit latrine with 4 doors, which serves as 2 toilets and 2 bathrooms and is washed daily with hand washing stations. No kitchen as per now, there is a composite pit where liters are dumped.
ASSESSING THE NEED
There is need to drill a borehole for proposed Imulama Dispensary that is aimed at improving sanitation and hygiene status of the facility. Also enable upgrading of additional services i.e Inpatients, maternity wing that will provide free delivery services to women. That with a reliable water supply in the facility the community will also have an access to quality water for their domestic needs
TARGET BENEFICIARIES
If the well is drilled, Imulama Dispensary and community will be the beneficiaries.
WATER MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The Imulama Dispensary Management Committee is organized ready to take full responsibility of operation, maintenance of the water supply if drilled.