Fees at Haulussy Hospital upped

AMBON, Maluku: Maluku governor Albert Karel Rahalalu has decided to increase hospital fees at Dr. Haulussy Hospital, Ambon's main hospital, an official said on Saturday.

Jopi Manuputty, the director of Dr. Haulussy Hospital, said that the fee hike, which took effect on Saturday, would include, among others, service and admission costs. The fees are to be increased by between 100 percent and 200 percent.

"The cost of healthcare at Haulussy hospital was among the lowest when compared to other main hospitals nationwide," Jopi said.

He explained that the increase was also aimed at raising revenue for the Maluku provincial administration, which operates the hospital.

Jopi said that, last year, the hospital reaped a net profit of Rp 505 million (US$63,125), while this year its target is Rp 595 million. He promised that the hospital would improve its services in line with the fee hike.

Haulussy Hospital currently has 353 beds, 543 employees, 11 general practitioners, 10 specialist doctors, three dentists, 337 nurses and six pharmacists. -- Antara

;JP;ASA; ANPAa..r.. Across-Batam Landing strips to be leased JP/5/ACROSS

Landing strips to be leased

BATAM: Air Hongkong, a Hongkong-based airline company, is set to rent landing strips at Hang Nadim Airport in Batam so that its pilots can be trained there.

Dwi Djoko Wiwoho, the spokesman of Batam Industrial Development Authority -- which oversees the running of the airport -- said on Saturday that the agreement to lease the landing strips had been inked in a memorandum of understanding between Batam Industrial Development Authority and Air Hongkong on Wednesday last week.

"The agreement will take effect on Nov. 8," said Djoko, adding that the contract will last for five years, until 2008.

Under the contract, Air Hongkong will be allowed to use the landing strips for training purposes only. The airline will be charged 25 percent of the fees paid by commercial airplanes each time a plane lands. The landing fee for commercial planes is currently US$1,000.

Hang Nadim airport, which was built in 1990, boasts the longest landing strip in Asia.

Currently, the airport only serves domestic flight for six airlines, namely Garuda Indonesian Airways, Bouraq, Jatayu, Lion, Mandala and Merpati Airlines. -- JP