Baqubah General Hospital Renovations Complete

Defend America News ^ | Claude D. McKinney

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Baqubah General Hospital underwent massive renovations aided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Iraqi Directorate General of Health. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Claude D. McKinney
Baqubah General Hospital Renovations Complete
The upgrades will improve the working conditions for patients and health care providers.
By Claude D. McKinney Gulf Region North U.S. Army Corps of Engineers BAQUBAH, Iraq, Feb. 28, 2006 — After a year under construction, the Baqubah General Hospital is finished, complete with a new incinerator and reverse osmosis water treatment system; plumbing and sewer system upgrade; architectural renovations; emergency backup generator and repair of existing elevators. The completed project was accepted by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Directorate General of Health. "Most rewarding to me is to have actually seen the completion of the renovation from start to finish — knowing [that] the people in Baqubah are going to receive much better health care." Joaquin Duenas, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers The hospital is a 331-bed facility with surgery and consultation service clinics that see 400-500 patients daily. These upgrades will improve the working conditions for patients and the health care providers. It is one of two hospitals in Baqubah. While the renovations were ongoing, the hospital was open and operational. Steps were taken to keep wards and clinics	open so medical services could be provided to the local citizens. Sometimes, this involved special attention by the workers so the construction dust and other materials would not disrupt the flow of health care. Power fluctuations during hot weather prevented proper testing of the elevators, but with cooler weather now, testing can proceed. Resolution of the power-fluctuation problem is being worked by the Province of Diyala in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “Renovation of Baqubah General Hospital was completed in December 2005 after a year of work,” said Joaquin Duenas, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project engineer for hospitals. “I’ve been tasked to perform the construction management and QA responsibilities since December of 2004,” Duenas said. “It certainly has been a pleasure working with the [Directorate General] of Health, the contractor, the Iraq Project and Contracting Office, and others involved with this project,” Duenas added. “Most rewarding to me is to have actually seen the completion of the renovation from start to finish — knowing [that] the people in Baqubah are going to receive much better health care.”