A hospital aiming to help disadvantaged groups opened on August 13 in Shanghai.

Patients at the hospital are exempt from paying registration fees. Jobless people who receive a minimum allowance from the government can enjoy a 10 percent discount on medical expenses.

Gonghui Hospital, which means benefiting the public, originated from a hospital formerly affiliated to the municipal bureau of transportation.

The municipal federation of trade unions renovated the hospital with donations from all walks of life.

The hospital has issued 3,000 special cards to workers who are in difficult economic situations. The card will enable them to get subsidies, reductions or exemptions on medical fees from the hospital.

A pharmaceutical company has promised to donate three million yuan worth of medicine to the hospital each year. Doctors from the Shanghai No.2 Medical Science University voluntarily offered to help. The municipal bureau of health donated some medical appliances to the hospital.

(People's Daily 08/15/2001)