VICE PRESIDENT APPRECIATES MER-C FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INDONESIA HOSPITAL IN GAZA

Jakarta, 30 Rabi’ul Awwal 1437/10 January 2016 (MINA) – The Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla expressed his apreciation for the humanitarian medical organization Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C), which has initiated the establishment of the Indonesia Hospital (RSI) in Northen Gaza.

“The government appreciates MER-C for the efforts and hard work to build this RSI in Gaza which is part of people-to-people support towards Palestinians,” said Jusuf Kalla in a handover ceremony of the hospital in Jakarta, Saturday night (9/1).

Kalla said, while he was the head of Indonesian Red Cross, he was doubt that Indonesian could build the hospital due to the blockaded area that regularly suffered strikes by Israeli occupation.

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“I asked Joserizal Jurnalis (the Presidium of MER-C), are you sure could make this happened?But finally the hospital established,” he added.

Besides Kalla, the simbolic ceremony attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi, the Ministry of Education and culture Anis Baswedan, The Palestinian Health Minister Jawad Awwad, The Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia Fariz M Mehdawi, Head of Representative House Fadli Zon, other officials, all volunteers and donors involved since the beginning of the establishment of RSI.

The building construction began in January 2009. Funds for the construction of the hospital is a 100 percent donated by Indonesian people, mostly poor, without the help of government and foreign.

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RSI lies in an 16 261 square meters area, which was part of Palestinian government endowments. Building area of about 10,000 square, consists of two floors and a basement, 90 inpatient rooms, also 10 emergency room installations, and other advanced equipment.(L/P008/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)