With at least 175,000 people dead or missing and 500,000 homes destroyed, Aceh, which lies on the northern tip of Sumatra, was hit especially hard by the December 26 disaster. The situation is made worse by an ongoing 30-year civil war in the region, but the UN has made significant progress in dispersing aid from a camp it has set up north of Aceh.

Rolls-Royce is determined to help the people of Aceh due to the continuing problems with health in the region, including outbreaks of malaria, dengue fever and dysentery. The best way to do this is by replacing the medical facilities that were destroyed in December.

A team, led by Regional Director Dr Mike Gray, was heavily involved in the construction of a Primary Care Unit (PCU) in Calang, on Aceh’s west coast. The unit, funded largely by HSBC, opened in June 2005 following logistical and planning support from Rolls-Royce managers and Singapore-based engineers from the Energy business.

In February 2006, a second PCU opened in the village of Lambada, about 10km to the northeast of the region’s capital, Banda Aceh, at a cost of £175,000 (US$320,000). This new unit can treat up to 100 patients a day, dealing with those suffering from tropical diseases and carrying out minor surgery. It will provide a vital service to a devastated population, and the company will support the surgery’s staffing and running costs after it opens.

The clinic, designed by Global Assistance and Health Care, is equipped with two observation rooms, a pharmacy and an emergency room. There are also facilities to house up to eight medical staff onsite. Global Assistance and Health Care will initially assist in providing doctors and other medical staff, after which the unit will be operated by the local health departments.

The PCU at Lambada is a totally Indonesian solution, constructed in bricks and mortar using the skills and manpower of around 40 local Acehnese. They were supervised by a core team of building specialists from Aceh as well as all over Indonesia, including qualified electricians, plumbers and welders. The official opening was attended by, among others, The Governor of Aceh, The Minister for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and The Minister of Health.

Sarah Northam, Human Resources Director, Fans, who spent some time in Lambada Lhok overseeing the construction of the clinic, was in Indonesia last year to ensure a successful handover of both clinics. Sarah said: “My task was to ensure a successful handover of the clinics to the Indonesian government, negotiating with all the requisite bodes to ensure the sustainability of the running of the clinics.”

In November 2006, the Derby Apprentice Association presented Dr Mike Gray, Regional Director, Indonesia, with a cheque for £5,000 towards the work in the Aceh province.

Dr Gray, who returned to the UK in October to receive his OBE from The Queen in recognition of his efforts in getting the clinics built, and to receive the apprentices' cheque, said: "Both clinics have become the focus of redevelopment for these fishing communities.

"Working with the Ministry of Maritime and Fisheries, this is a great example of the private sector in Indonesia and the Indonesian government making a real difference to the people of Aceh.

"The clinics have given people hope by acting as a catalyst for the regeneration of fishing villages along the cost. They are Indonesian solutions, should be sustainable and have made a real difference to people's lives."