CHAMDO, Tibet, March 11 -- Expansion of Chamdo Prefecture People's Hospital in Tibet will effectively improve medical service in the region, local health authorities said.

"A total of 109.35 million yuan (about 17.87 million U.S. dollars) has been invested in the expansion project, which will be completed by the end of the year," said Zhong Chun, president of the hospital.

According to Zhong, the main work of the expansion is a 10-story inpatient building with floor area of 22,982 square meters that can accommodate about 300 beds.

As the first public hospital built after the peaceful liberation of Tibet, the 250-bed hospital receives a total of 10,000 inpatients and 110,000 outpatients every year.

Zhong said once the expansion project is finished, the receiving capacity for inpatients will be increased to 15,000 per year, and more outpatients will be able to access better medical service.

Abo, commissioner of Chamdo Prefecture, said the number of Tibetans living in agricultural and pastoral areas who go to hospitals to seek medical advice has seen a substantial increase in recent years as a result of better medical facilities.