Canada Newsletter, April
EMI supports the modernization of SIM Galmi Hospital
Success isn’t something that happens by accident. Success is something that happens by design. At EMI Canada, success goes deeper than simply developing good designs and master plans, it comes from serving and equipping others to spread the message of Hope, and bear fruit for The Kingdom of God.
One of EMI Canada’s greatest success stories comes from our time serving SIM’s Galmi Hospital in Niger, West Africa, and the lives that have been transformed by that hospital ministry. Located on the edge of the Sahara Desert, the 184-bed surgical hospital had been in operation since 1950. The aging facility was a critical part of the community but was desperately in need of an update.
When EMI Canada's project team arrived in Galmi in September 2007, they found a hospital in dire need of modernization. The facility was dingy, insufferably hot, and lacked privacy, natural lighting, and ventilation for staff and patients. SIM's mandate was clear: reconstruct the hospital over 20 years without suspending medical services.
“EMI has been a huge practical help and massive source of encouragement at Galmi,” said Stephen Montgomery, Galmi Hospital Director from 2010 to 2017.
On arriving at the hospital, the project team conducted a survey of the property and met with Galmi Hospital staff members. The team listened and learned from hospital administrators and medical professionals as they produced a new master plan and designs for Phase One of the multi-phase reconstruction project. One of the key aspects of the plan was to modernize and update the facility with a minimum of impact on its operations, patients, and staff.
After careful consultation, a master plan was created that included an ER, surgery, an obstetrics ward, an infant care centre, an outpatient clinic, and a tuberculosis ward. The plan also ensured that the renovated facility would be well-lit and ventilated.
Over the course of the last eighteen years, EMI has continued to support the project with additional project teams and site visits consulting on each subsequent phase of construction.
“With each visit, EMI has helped Galmi take the long view of what is most needed, and our master plan has been updated with major input from our own staff and with EMI's slate of technical experts,” said Stephen.
Since the original project team's visit to Galmi Hospital, three of the construction phases have been completed.
“We saw over 90,000 outpatients this past year, and that’s not counting surgical cases and admissions,” said SIM Niger Country Director representative, Dr. Matt Megill.
He estimates that Galmi Hospital has treated 1.5 million patients since reconstruction work began at the hospital.
The fourth phase of construction work, including a new laundry and CREN (Centre de Réhabilitation et Education Nutritionnel), and a new 80 bed pediatrics ward is underway. The new laundry and CREN buildings are now operational. Total completion of phase four is estimated for the end of 2026 or early 2027.
Galmi hospital has been a great success and a blessing to its community. Since the reconstruction work began, Galmi Hospital has and continues to transform into a modern facility, significantly improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Lives have been changed and saved through the incredible work of the doctors and staff.
“I still remember when every building at Galmi Hospital felt like something from the Jurassic era—constructed from stone and mud, with very limited functionality. Today, thanks to EMI’s involvement and vision, we now have spacious, well-lit, well-ventilated, and highly functional wards that are much easier to maintain and clean and care for our patients,” said Dr. Yakoubou Sanoussi, SIM Galmi Hospital Director.
EMI Canada’s success is designed success. Around the world when ministries are equipped to serve their community better through facilities that work, we achieve our vision for people to be restored by God and the world restored through design.
Together, we are designing a world of hope.
Find out more about how you can make this happen here.
