Urgent construction of a hospital for SARS patients began Wednesday in the eastern part of Hohhot, capital of northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Due for completion in 20 days, the 34 hectare hospital, 10 times bigger than a regular general hospital, will hold nearly 1,000 patient beds.

It will be separated into four wards, catering for critically sick patients, diagnosed SARS patients, suspected SARS carriers and medical staff members.

More than 1,000 workers from three construction companies in the region arrived on Wednesday to start construction.

As of Apr. 29, 74 patients in Hohhot were diagnosed with SARS, with a further 141 suspected to have the disease.

The epidemic has exposed a severe shortage of medical facilities and staff in the region, overloading general hospitals.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2003)