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Show By Jack Wallis The completion date for the new 36-ed 36-ed Uintah County Hospital has been cheduled for sometime in May. As rith almost everything else these days sts for buildings and equipment have ttcreased. Uintah County taxpayers voted ipproval for $2.5 million to be raised by lling obligation bonds to pay for the xmstruction of the new hospital. The nstruction bid on the hospital was 12.7 million. With a few changes and idditions the final cost of finishing the wspital structure will approach the (3.4 figure, according to the latest information. in-formation. This cost to the taxpayers es not include the needed technical iquipment that must go into a hospital Kfore it can function. It is estimated that another one-half nillion dollars is needed to purchase he necessary equipment to give the lew hospital the expanded capabilities n medical care for which the new tructure has been built. Compounding this money drain Jlem is the fact that during 1979 the id hospital facility operating expenses vent into the red and had to be assisted vith over $300,000 in county funds. In an effort to help the hospital ecome self sustaining the county ommissioners a year ago turned the management over to the Hospital corporation of America chain of ospitals. The agreement with HCA jas to make the Uintah County lospital more efficient and also bring it P to the required standards. HCA is Iso helping with the new hospital by Jving technical input and providing its Wge quantity purchasing power to educe the cost of supplies and quipment for the new hospital. Because of the immediate need for inds to purchase hospital equipment Vernal Area Chamber of Com-erce Com-erce Civic Health and Medical bmmittee has teamed up with the intah County Hospital Donation committee for an equipment drive. Over 450 letters have been mailed to local citizens and businesses asking for donations. The next phase of the drive is to telephone every prospective contributor to get money or a pledge for a donation in as soon as possible. Donations can be sent directly to the hospital or to the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce. With the full support of our entire community this hospital equipment drive need not be a financial burden to anyone. To date, the response has been very encouraging, according to reports received from members of the hospital donation committee. Clubs have agreed to turn over funds for the equipment drive and to also help make contacts with those who may donate to the project. Estimates have been given for furnishing fur-nishing rooms and purchasing certain types of equipment. Donors wishing to be associated with buying certain equipment or furnishing a room will have their names on the door of the room, on the equipment or in a display case designating the equipment donation. We think this project is an opportunity op-portunity for everyone in the community com-munity to get involved in something that is greatly needed and very worthwhile. worth-while. Almost everyone, sometime in their life, will need the facilities Of a hospital. What greater comfort can a community provide than the most modern facility that money can buy? Also, providing a new fully-equipped hospital in the community will increase the chances for attracting highly trained and skilled physicians and surgeons to make their homes here. Now is the time to make that donation to the Uintah County Hospital equipment equip-ment fund. Only four more months remain until the hospital structure is scheduled for completion. Let's all pitch in and make sure that through our donations our hospital is fully equipped by the timethe structure is ready for use. |