A Tour of the CEML
On Tuesday, August 18th Michael and I got to tour the new buildings at the CEML Hospital that are under construction. (Sorry for the delayed post about it!). The three new buildings are just adjacent to the existing hospital space, currently separated by a corrugated metal wall which will be removed to build connecting verandas between the spaces. At the end of the current Administrative building is the new Administrative building with a lot more office space and a great central new boardroom. There’s even going to be a study/library area!
Next to that and across a nice open courtyard is the new wards which will house men, women and children. And the large building beside that is the new OR/ICU building. On our tour we could see many strides made to get the new roofs on, including a machine nearby which helped prepare the metal pieces.
Near the main parking lot of the hospital is the new triangle-roofed auditorium or multi-use space. It will be a much-needed area for staff meetings and other gatherings, and has its own washrooms. In much of the building we could see plumbing being routed (much different in a concrete and rebar building than in North American construction style), and while we were there we watched the foundation being laid for the auditorium and walls going up with brick and mortar.
We hear the construction of the new buildings will take until at least later in 2027 before completion, and so, we believe the project will be completed before we are next able to return to Angola! We are excited to see the hospital grow in its capacity to bring health and healing to the poor and underprivileged in the area of Lubango, Angola (and, we hear, to the rural areas beyond).
Bethany K. Hoskin
