Crown Agents has reduced design and implementation costs while successfully renovating warehouse space at the Mojo Health Center in Ethiopia. Completed in May 2008, the centre provides for 131,175 patients including many people living with HIV that have registered for antiretroviral therapy (ART). Our team co-ordinated USAID partners MSH/RPM+, USAID|DELIVER II and the Health Centre Renovation Project (HCR) to turn current storage space into clinical examination rooms and a defined area for treating chronic diseases such as HIV and other co-infectious chronic diseases.
While RPM+ handled its own works contracts, we managed the works tender and supervision for both HCR and USAID|DELIVER II. Partners also worked together to obtain authorisation for the pilot from the health ministry. We planned construction so that works contracts would complement each other. We completed site surveys, designed renovation and contracted works so that construction time was minimised. Using a "modular" design to place support beams enables further expansion without compromising structural integrity. For instance, a new room can be added and a connecting internal door appropriately located simply by knocking out space between support beams.
The total value of upgrade works invested by the three organizations was US$ 78,950. Had the three acted independently, 
additional costs due to the separate design and supervision activities would have amounted to US$ 7,000 (8.8%). This does not take into account the added disruption for the health center staff created by three independent organizations undertaking construction activities in an un-coordinated way.
In the coming months, we will be collecting feedback from health centre staff regarding their views on the schedule and quality of service so the health ministry and USAID can take further action if required.