Ministry delivers 29 ambulances to Aceh

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The health ministry recently delivered 29 ambulances to health offices in the troubled province of Aceh.

"The ambulances were handed over to help make military operations in the province a success," said the head of the Aceh provincial health office, Mulja Hasyimi.

He expressed gratitude for the donation, saying that many ambulances operated by health offices in Aceh needed replacement.

"Some have been in use for 10 to 15 years," he said on Tuesday.

There are 225 community health centers in Aceh, spread across 21 regencies or mayoralties. Aceh has a population of 4.2 million.

The government imposed martial law in the province last May in order to quell the separatist movement in the area. Hundreds of Free Aceh Movement members, civilians and military soldiers have been killed in the military operations, and there are no signs as to when the bloodshed will end. -- Antara