A new hospital opened in East Nusa Tenggara will help improve the health care sector for the poor and provide an important resource for the training of medical staff, the deputy governor said this week.

“The presence of the hospital is a human resources investment in the field of health care. It also adds to health facilities established for local people, instead of being a competitor of existing hospitals,” Esthon Leyloh Foenay said in his speech during the hospital’s installation ceremony on Saturday.

Archbishop Turang regarded the installation of the new hospital, whose motto is Kasih yang Menyembuhkan (healing love), as “a new era” of the nuns’ works in eastern Indonesia.

“The presence of the hospital is not only the wish of St. Charles Borromeo nuns but also all people of East Nusa Tenggara province, especially those living in Kupang. Both nuns and local people have been waiting for an alternative hospital, besides those belonging to the local government,” he said.

Sister Goretti, head of the congregation’s community in eastern Indonesia, said the hospital will build on the work St. Familia Church in Siklumana, which opened a small clinic on the site in 2006.

The new hospital will operate a 24-hour emergency room, among other services, and be served by a large staff of doctors and health specialists.

Nikolaus Bala Nuhan, a local civic leader, said he hoped the new hospital would continue the traditions started by the earlier clinic.

“Before becoming a hospital, the clinic served many people with low income. I hope this will not change,” he said.