The document describes the design of transitional health posts intended to provide temporary structures following earthquakes when many health posts were damaged. The design uses a durable metal pipe frame covered with flexible roofing materials like insulation and plywood that are intended to last 1-2 years. Key features of the design are that it is reusable, extendable, protects from disasters, provides privacy, and uses locally available materials.

1. B-95 Transitional
Health Posts
Concept and Design:
Ar. Padmendra Shrestha
Er. Rajan Maskey
Structural Engineer:
Er. Prabin Bajracharya
Civil Engineer
Er. Bikash Malla
Healthpost coordination and
implementation
Dr. Kiran Raj Awasthi
Marketing and Publicity
Mr. Ajaya K Shrestha

2. Problem to Idea

3. DURABILITY
Use of circular/square iron pipes (at every 4') for the main structure and
purlins to connect the circular/square iron pipes will provide rigidity to the
structure. Use of thin ply wood, insulation material and flex as a cover is
expected to last for about 1- 2 years.
LIVABILITY
Thermal protection: Thermal insulation ensures mild temperature
inside shelter during summer and winter, unlike corrugated
sheets.
Lighting and ventilation: Doors and windows in the two ends of
the shelter provide adequate lighting and cross-ventilation.
Protection from water/ hail: Flex material is water proof and will
protect the structure from rain.
Sound insulation: Roofing material soft enough for rain drops to
land without making loud noise, unlike in corrugated sheets.
Major Features

4. Reusable: Structure connected by nuts-bolts
and can easily be dismantled and relocated
after reconstruction of proper health posts.
Can also be used as a training hall or storage
room of the health post.
Extendable/ Flexible: Structure can be
extended using some additional materials
depending on needs of health posts.
Protection form Disasters: Design and
materials used ensures safety from mega
earthquakes as well as damage from strong
winds.
Privacy: The use of plywood and insulation
material will provide visual and sound
privacy.
Major Features

5. Installation Mechanism:
Fabricated structure transported to site for
installation. Local volunteers required to carry
materials to site. The structure can be built by one
qualified technician with help from local volunteers.
Fabrication can easily be done by metal workshops
in Kathmandu and other districts. Installation
technique can also be learnt for site installation.
Scaling up production is possible.
Advantages of Flex:
Easily available compared to other materials like zinc
sheet that are in high demand
Easy to repair using adhesives and can be done by
the health post staff
Easy to transport as it can be folded and carried in a
bag

6. Heat, Rain & Cold:
Use of flex, insulation material and ply wood provides a
good solution for all three situations.
Flex is waterproof. Meant for outside use.
Shelters provide moderate temperatures further aided by
cross ventilation provided by window & door.
Local ownership:
Floor and side walls to be built by locals
Use of local resources:
Design flexible in terms of use of locally available
materials. Bamboo strips can be used instead of iron pipes
for structure.
Plywood can be substituted by bamboo mats for roofing.
Thatch or earth on steel mesh can also be used as a
substitute for insulation.
Flex cover over door and window frame can be replaced
by bamboo strips or mat or any other locally available
material.

7. Health Posts: Conceptual Design

8. Why Health post?
Social perception of health
White Color - Cleanliness
Finishing – smoothness
Privacy
Psychological comfort

9. Post Earthquake Reality:
12 Primary Health Care Centers and 417 Health Posts completely damaged
100s more partially damaged according to a report on Post Disaster Needs
Assessment and Recovery Plan of Health and Population Sector
UNICEF South Asia claims 70% of birthing centers in 14 affected districted
damaged or destroyed

10. State of Health Posts

11. Key Features:
SIZE: 10' X 13‘-6” (interior room); 10' X 16' (exterior structure)
STRUCTURE: Iron pipes connected by nuts & bolts. Strong & Sturdy
ROOFING: 3 layers. Flex. Insulation material. Ply Wood.
DURABLE: Metal structure will last for years. Roofing of flex, insulation material and ply
wood to last at least 1-2 years. Easily repairable.
FINISHING: Clean white surface and warm interior finishing. Suitable for health post.
CONSTRUCTION TIME: 1 day
COST: ~ NPR 45,000 (excluding transport)

15. Institutional Mechanism:
Need assessment conducted in coordination with
District Health Offices (DHO)
Transport, where possible, provided by Health Posts,
DHO and/or partnering NGOs
Partnerships with NGOs with strong presence in
Districts
Training of technical staff of partner NGOs for
installation of multiple Health Posts and Birthing
Centers in Districts
Field visits carried out by DHO to assess performance
and suitability of shelters

16. So Far we have reached out to
14625 Households and 58601 population across four
districts through 18 health shelters : Lalitpur, Bhaktapur,
Kathmandu and Dhading
Future plans to meet in the next 20 days: we will have
setup a further 25 healthposts in Dhading, Tanahun,
Sindhupalchowk, and Nuwakot catering service to
30991 plus households and a population of 130724 plus.
Next Step: Our trial for temporary learning centres have
received a great feedback and we are at present
happy to say that we have already sent out 19 shelters
for installation out of which 8 have already been
installed and the remaining 11 will be installed within the
next week for primary schools and early childhood
development centres

18. For more enquiries please contact:
Dr. Kiran Raj Awasthi
Email: oralhealth.hdsn@gmail.com
Phone: +977-98510-63678
Rajan Maskey
Email: maskey.rajan@gmail.com
Phone: +977-98010-86746