W. Kutai to open district hospital

SAMARINDA: The district of West Kutai will soon have their own hospital to provide health services for local people.

Regent Rama Alexander Asia said they had set a target of Aug. 15 for the grand opening of the hospital.

The hospital was built on a 21-hectare plot in Sendawar with a total budget of Rp 57 billion, which was taken from the 2001 regional budget. The construction has cost about Rp 30 billion (US$3.53 million) so far.

After the grand opening, the hospital's emergency room, radiology department and administration will be operational, with a staff of 105 employees, including medical staff.

By the end of 2004, the hospital aims to have ready 150 beds, delivery rooms, intensive care unit and a liquid waste treatment facility.

Residents of the district had previously been dependent on other cities like Samarinda and Tenggarong -- a 20- to 24-hour journey by water transportation -- for health services. -- Antara