New Center To Improve Reproductive & Child Health

Since the ground-breaking for the Nutrition Block in July 2024, progress on this final piece of the Reproductive Health Center complex has proceeded at a steady pace. The construction of the nutrition building's roof, as well as the interior and exterior walls, is moving forward. The American Partner's Project and Site Manager fully anticipates that the finishing touches for the building will be completed soon after the annual December 23rd - January 26th industrial break in Zambia and that the facility will be fully functional by February 2025.

The attached pictures depict the construction work during the last few weeks. The first picture shows an external view of the nutrition building's progress with the front of the completed Mother and Child Health building in the background. The other pictures provide views of construction crews working on the internal and external walls of the building and an additional view of the outside of the building from a different angle. We hope to show you the completed facility in our next report. As always, the American Partners are grateful during this time of Thanksgiving in the United States for the generous support of all of our donors.

During the last month, the construction of the Nutrition block of the Reproductive Health Center (RHC) began with the clearing of the site and removal of a tree. When the site is completely cleared, work on the utility lines, the cement slab, and trenches for the walls will begin. Photos of the site for the Nutrition block are included with this report. These photos show the completed Mother and Child Health block and the partially prepared site for the Nutrition block in front of the MCH. We anticipate that the Nutrition block will be completed by the end of the year.

The MCH has been operational for one year. Antenatal and postnatal check-ups, newborn and early childhood well visits, family planning, and HIV-related counseling occur weekly in this facility, The spacious, open-air waiting/examination area provides a comfortable and well-ventilated environment for all patients. During the first year in the new facility, MCH staff saw 3,753 children under 5-years of age, 2,250 couples for family planning, and 265 women for prenatal visits. Pictures of women waiting for prenatal exams and women and children waiting for their children's well-visits are attached. Family planning, antenatal and postnatal visits, and HIV counseling occur in private examination rooms.

The American Partners would like to thank our many donors for providing the funds for the new Reproductive Health Center. This facility has already exceeded expectations and the Nutrition Block will complete the facility soon.