RI HOSPITAL TO BE BUILT IN GAZA

Jakarta, March 12 (ANTARA) - A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on he construction of Indonesian hospital at Gaza Strip, Palestine, will be be signed soon this month.

Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi made the statement to Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C) Indonesia, led by MER-C Presidium chairman dr Sarbini Abdul Murad at the State Secretariat office here on Friday.

"The presence of Indonesian hospital at Gaza Strip is urgent and therefore we have to support it," Silalahi said, adding that the MoU would be signed soon this month.

He said Health Ministry has agreed on the construction of the hospital and then allocated Rp20 billion funds to build the health facility at Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, Sarbini Abdul Murad said MER-C has also allocated Rp13 billion fund for the construction of the Indonesian hospital at Gaza Strip with the donation from Indonesian community.

Sarbini said the state secretary had realized that the construction of such a hospital at Gaza Strip was not an easy job, and therefore he highly appreciated the initiative of MER-C Indonesia, especially in the realization of the hospital.

To speed up the construction process of the hospital, Silalahi said he would sent an official letter to foreign affairs minister, health minister, and coordinating minister for people's welfare to support the plan.