Why renovate the clinic
the clinic condition before we started the renovation
The Ricks Institute Clinic Renovation Project (“The Clinic Project”) is a flagship project of Ricks Institute Alumni Association – US, Inc. (RIAA-USA, INC.). Since the Clinic at Ricks Institute, Virginia, Liberia was built in the 1960’s, there had been no renovations done on the clinic.
- The Ricks Institute Clinic building is a 4,000 square foot 1950 and 60 American style architecture with brick veneer similar to that of the campus Administrative / Classroom building. This is the standard and unique campus building architectural style.
- The building is owned and maintained by the Ricks Institute but jointly operated with staffing and some supplies from Liberia’s Ministry of Health.
- The building consist of two connected but separate functioning sections:
- The Clinic, which is approximately 60% to 70% in use, due to the war and neglect, serves more patients now than ever before. It also serves the surrounding communities which has grown tenfold.
- The campus nurse two – bedroom appointment, which is being used by campus faculty, is also in need of serious repairs.
focus areas of the renovation
A complete renovation is required to resolve the following issues (refer to the videos and photos that follow for details):
- Building improvements
- Modern clinic functioning
- Space increment / usage
- Student privacy / security
- Staffing improvements
Clinic Playlist
5 Videos
The Clinic Renovation Project Overview
Our flagship project … The Clinic Renovation Project is designed to refurbish the existing clinic at Ricks into a state-of-the-art clinic that meets modern standards. This project will provide sustainable health services to the more than 500 students of Ricks and to communities in its environs.
The Project is being completed in three phases: the First Phase is the Remodeling and Renovation; the Second Phase is furnishing the remodeled clinic with Equipment and Supplies; and the Third Phase is the installation of Solar Energy Panels.
The following diagrams provide the architecture blueprints for the clinic renovation project implementation:
- New and improved separate designated entryways with covered ramps.
- Separate student entry and facility for security and privacy.
- New public interior and exterior waiting areas to cope with current and future community demands.
- Elimination of the nurse apartment to meet spacial and functioning requirements including several exam rooms laboratory, pharmacy, business office and staff break room.
FIRST PHASE OF THE PROJECT
After several months of vetting bidders / contractors for the Project, on June 14, 2022, RIAA-USA, Inc. signed an agreement in the amount of $64,000 with Concrete Mender & Merchandise Incorporated, a construction company headquartered in Sinkor, Monrovia, Liberia, represented by its CEO, Mr. Augustine Fredericks, to carry out the First Phase of the Project. The Project Notice to Proceed was signed on June 21, 2022, the date on which the remodeling and renovation of the Project began.
As the Project progressed, several changes were made to the plan which increased the final cost of the First Phase to $84,000. On June 6, 2022, RIAA-USA, Inc. received a much-needed grant of US$20,000 toward the First Phase of the Project. Additional funds for the First Phase were raised through a Naming Rights Fundraiser among members of the RIAA-USA, Inc. which yielded $24,000, and the balance $40,000 was provided by RIAA-USA, Inc.
The First Phase of the Project was fully funded and completed in Mid-May 2023. RIAA and the Ricks Administration received the keys from the Contractor on June 3, 2023.
The photos below are testament to the enormous work done on First Phase of the Clinic. They demonstrate the progress of the Project which is scheduled for completion at the beginning of 2023.
THE SECOND PHASE OF THE PROJECT
The Second Phase of the Project is securing equipment and supplies to furnish the clinic. The equipment and supplies needed have already been identified by the RIAA-USA, Inc. Clinic Project Team with assistance from the Clinic Staff at Ricks Institute. The total cost of the Second Phase is estimated at $50,000 including the shipping of the equipment and supplies to Liberia. This Second Phase is expected to be completed by the end of June / beginning of July 2023 when the fully furnished clinic will be turned over to the Administration of Ricks Institute.
The photos below show some of the equipment and supplies for the clinic.
THE THIRD PHASE
The Third Phase of the Project is a SOLAR POWER SYSTEM. We anticipate the use of such a system as part of the project. This will provide a much-needed backup power generation system for critical clinic functions. The cost of this phase is estimated at a minimum of $15,000 depending upon the complexity of the system required to support the equipment installed in the clinic.
