The official handover of the Atoifi Dental Clinic to Atoifi Hospital in East Kwaio, Malaita Province, has been confirmed for June.
Dr. Genna Levitch, the donor of the ADC, confirmed this in an email circulated to all partners regarding the clinicβs handover update.
βI would like to confirm to everyone that we are in the final days of work on-site. A tremendous amount of work has been completedββ
βBut we wonβt be able to finalize everything in time for an immediate handover. However, I can confirm that the official handover will take place in June,β Dr. Levitch said.
So far what has been completed at the ADC is a dental chair has been fully connected, ensuring functionality for patient care. The vinyl flooring and coving in the laboratory, administrative office, staff room, waiting room, and corridor have been finished, with the floors properly sealed.
The clinic’s plumbing work has been completed, including the connection of a hot water heater and hot and cold-water supply to all nine taps. The waste drains have been installed for nine sinks and the dental chairs. A new toilet has been installed, and the septic tank is now fully connected to the wastewater system.
Exterior improvements have also been made, including the placement of river gravel at the clinicβs entrance and the construction of a concrete step at the back door. Earthworks have been carried out to create a pathway leading to the basement, where the dental machinery will be housed.
Further refinements include additional interior and exterior painting, the installation of signage, and the fitting of door and cupboard handles. The final phase of the project involved unpacking dental equipment and supplies to prepare for operational use.
Dr. Levitch said that that he wanted the clinic to be fully completed before the official handover.
βSo far, we have completed 95% of the work. Only final touches and minor tasks remain before the clinic is fully operational.β
βWe will be traveling back to Australia this week and returning on June 18 to complete the remaining work. After that, weβll officially hand over the dental clinic to Atoifi Hospital and the Nursing School,β Dr. Levitch stated.
The dental clinic project was funded by Dr. Genna Levitch, a dentist by profession, and his son-in-law, Tim Edwards, from Australia. Edwards won a prize at work and donated the money to fund the project. The funds have been channelled through ADRA Australia and supported by ADRA Solomon Islands for implementation.
Meanwhile, a brief farewell was held for Dr. Genna and his wife, along with builders from Australia and the Solomon Islands, at the Atoifi School Dining Hall on Monday, March 26. The event was organized to express gratitude for their contributions to the Atoifi dental clinic.
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-ADRA SI
