Kediri to build respiratory disease hospital

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 07/01/2009 9:38 PM  |  National

The Kediri administration will build a special hospital for patients who suffer from respiratory-related problems resulting from production activities of the country's largest cigarette maker PT Gudang Garam.

Head of the regency's Public Works Agency Widodo said Wednesday the local government had allocated a 4.8 hectare plot of land in Pakunden sub district for the hospital.

“We have allocated Rp 41 billion (US$ 4.1 million) from our regional budget and will ask for the company’s contribution,” Widodo said as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

Construction work is expected to start later this year.

Spokesman for the local administration Haryono said the hospital would help the regency cope with air pollution stemming from the company’s activities and the huge population of active smokers.

“Those who suffer from acute respiratory ailments (ISPA), lung and heart cancer can seek special treatment at the hospital,” Haryono said.

Legislative council member Nurudin Hasan warned the government against evicting people for the sake of the construction project.  (ewd)

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