MANAS, Kyrgyzstan - They asked for help, and the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, got involved. Four months after work to update the windows began, the perinatal center held an official dedication ceremony.
"The project we've been doing here was brought to an end today," said Capt. Allison Bain, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Theater Security Cooperation, Humanitarian Assistance branch. "We started in May and ended in August."
The formal event recognized the partnership between the embassy, Bishkek Perinatal Center, the Ministry of Health and Humanitarian Assistance, she said.
"We redid windows for 14 rooms throughout the Perinatal Center where they have newborns," she said. "It's making sure the babies are in an environment conducive to their healthiness during winter and summer, to make sure temperatures regulate a little better. A lot of them are preemies; so they're in an environment that's better for them."
HA worked with the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron to make sure everything required to justify the project was submitted to Air Forces Central Command and Central Command. They also worked with the 376th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron to make sure that the contract reflected the level of work they intended.
"I think it's very rewarding to come in and see something that we're able to improve upon," she said, "when we leave, I can say I was a part of something that's able to impact this country, this clinic specifically, for years to come. I think it's awesome, what else do you want to do but take care of infants who can't take care of themselves? We're providing them something that's really going to benefit them. The first days of a baby's life is important, and this being the largest perinatal center in the Bishkek area, there's a huge impact; it's rewarding."
The physicians working at the center have appreciated the improvements.
"The windows keep the temperature warm, so the children can be healthy," said Dr. Damira Lseksembaeba, expert for quality at Bishkek Perinatal Center.
Children are at high risk if the temperature gets lower than 25 degrees Celsius, she said. The windows help maintain a warm temperature to keep the children safe and healthy.
"This perinatal center includes all the preemies in Bishkek and other areas in Kyrgyzstan," she said. "This is the only department they can go to."
The physician said the Transit Center has been helping the Perinatal Center for two years.
"We tried replacing these windows a year ago, but there were some problems," she said. "The Transit Center gave us 25 electric heaters. Technicians came to keep the temperature good. When we had questions or needed help, the Transit Center always helped. I'm really thankful, this was really big."