Vietnam Development Bank (VDB) and the German Reconstruction Bank will fund a combined of VND520 billion ($26.67 million) for upgrading Hanoi-based Vietnam-Germany Hospital. The VND550-billion upgrading project comprises of VND400 billion from the VDB, VND120 billion from the German Reconstruction Bank and the rest from the state budget. Officials from the hospital and VDB signed an agreement on the aid in Hanoi on Aug 24, the Nhan Dan online newspaper reported Aug 25. The funding will be used to expand the hospital’s operations and raise its capacity in medical checkups and treatment for locals. Under the agreement, a hi-tech building outfitted with advanced equipment will be built, including 20 operating rooms, an imaging diagnosis centre and an organ transplant centre. The construction is slated for completion in late 2013, the newspaper added. The Vietnam-Germany Hospital is the country's top surgical hospital for more than 100 years. (nhandan.com.vn, vietduchospital.edu.vn Aug 25)
