SINGAPORE : The Ren Ci Hospital and Medicare Centre has obtained an Institute of Public Character (IPC) status for its new hospital building fund.

This means all public donations to the fund will be granted double tax-exempt status.

The IPC status will span one year, from 15 August 2008 to 14 August 2009.

Construction of the new hospital at Irrawaddy Road will be completed by the end of September, following an additional capital grant of S$9.3 million by the Ministry of Health, on top of its initial S$21 million commitment.

It is due to open at the end of this year.

Earlier on August 5, Ren Ci Hospital and Medicare Centre regained its IPC status.

The Ministry of Health had previously removed the charity's IPC status, following investigations into financial irregularities. - CNA /ls