Health aid for E. Nusa Tenggara

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The Indonesian and Australian governments have resumed cooperation in the health sector, and East Nusa Tenggara province has been named a project area.

Australian deputy ambassador to Indonesia Neil Mulles said here that the health project, which will focus on providing services for mothers and children, would last until 2007.

He said the Australian government would send medical and clinical workers and help the province improve health care in rural communities.

Cooperation between the two countries was halted after 1997 as a result of the political upheaval in Indonesia, and relations between the two countries were strained by the 1999 independence vote in East Timor.

East Nusa Tenggara Deputy Governor Johanis Pake Pani said the health program would take place in the regencies of East Flores, Ngada, Maumere, Ende, Manggarai and Lembata. -- JP