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By 1st Lt. Lory Stevens
U.S. Forces Afghanistan
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - A new healthcare training facility is set to open this month in Bamyan province, Afghanistan, to improve medical treatment for people living in the area.
The Singapore armed forces, who provided most of the funding and know-how for the project, alongside with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team and Task Force Warrior, assisted in reconstruction and development in Bamyan province.
"The Regional Health Training Center will house administrative offices for the ministry of public health, as well as provide several classrooms for community education," said Singapore armed forces Lt. Col. James Tan.
When the project began in May, construction was delayed over land disputes at the site location. An individual would visit the project site and intimidate local contractors to stop working. Tan said the provincial governor had the person arrested, but when he was released the man returned to the site to continue threats.
"The issue was resolved after we utilized rule of law, letting provincial authorities deal with concerns and compensation," Tan said.
The Singapore team learned not to take things for granted in Afghanistan. Standards and techniques, power supply and the skill level of workers require unique considerations and flexibility.
"It has been interesting and eye opening," Tan remarked about the project management and work with the local work force.
As a result, teaching and mentoring became a focus out of necessity at the project site, said an engineer from the Singapore armed forces.
"In order to ensure the completion of a quality building, we used the project site as a live classroom to broaden their [30 local laborers] exposure to better construction practices," said the engineer.
He said it was important to show the local Afghans superior ways of mixing mortar and laying brick. One day the workers mixed cement on the ground allowing twigs and rocks in the composition, claiming the cement mixer caused headaches. Also, there was no standard for the mixing of materials.
"Teaching the concept of selecting the same amount of materials each time, such as one pail of water to mix with two shovels of cement, ensures a consistent composition and better method of construction," the engineer said.
Better planning and the need to prioritize work emerged as issues requiring more attention. The engineer said every building in Bamyan is constructed to be self-sufficient, and in order to have a building that will stand long term, there needs to be a plan for central water, power and sewage. He also stressed the importance of prioritizing work.
"There needs to be a plan for water before building the road, and workers need to wire electricity before finishing the drywall," said the engineer.
Overall, the Afghans did take to heart the teachings of the Singapore armed forces. Tan said he feels fortunate to have a good contractor to work with, and the locals do attempt to employ the better construction practices.
"The Bamyan Regional Health Training Center offers a location to build the capacity of healthcare in the area," Tan said, "and working alongside Afghans during the project builds the capacity of local workers as they incorporate our teachings into their operating culture."
| Date Taken: | 10.20.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.20.2008 09:45 |
| Story ID: | 25259 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 261 |
| Downloads: | 209 |
This work, Singapore Armed Forces mentor local laborers, open Regional Health Training Center in Bamyan, by 1LT Lory Stevens, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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