Work began in 2017 at ImaBridge's permanent site in Owot Uta, Ibesikpo, AKS. The fencing, gate house and borehole are near completion. The permanent site will house the ImaBridge Clinic and Surgical Center.  

Groundbreaking was held in January 2018 with the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel laying the first brick.

Clearing of the land in Nigeria and raising funds here in the USA brought us to May 2019, when construction began. Digging of the land and foundation work began in ernest. 

Construction moved along at a strong pace - by July the foundation was completed, by October the ground floor construction was complete and construction began on the 1st level. By February of 2020, the 2nd level walls were up and the roofing was underway. 

COVID19 then had an impact on the pace of construction. Delays in shipments, close down of inter-state transportation all slowed the construction. It also had an impact on our fundraising activities back in the USA. Our 2020 Annual Fundraiser was held virtually, while we kept the endsite in goal. COVID prevented the US team from visiting Nigeria in December 2020-January 2021 for our Annual Medical Mission. Construction continued at a slow and steady pace. 

In mid 2021, while COVID was still amongst us, countries began to re-open to international travel and we were excitited to be able to make plans to travel to Nigeria in December. With that in mind, we knew that one of the things to accomplish on this upcoming trip, was the commissioning of the Medical Center. The date was set - December 30, 2021 with plans for the Medical Missions in January 2022 to be held at the Medical Center. 

In 2021, 3 of 5 shipping containers were sent to Nigeria. Containers filled supplies and equipment for the medical center. Equipment and supplies were valued at $1.5M and included: hospital beds, incubators, ultrasound machines, laboratory equipment, ICU equipment, patient monitors, etc. Additional medical equipment will arrive in 2022.

On December 30, 2021 our Dream Truly Became A Reality with the commissioning of the ImaBridge John R. Ripkey Memorial Medical Center. 

2022 has seen the arrival of the first baby born, surgeries, staffing, new procedures, policies, arrival of lab equipment and more on its way.