LITTLE over six months since the first sod was dug, the new state-of-the-art intensive care unit at Didim State Hospital has opened.

Plans were initially for a four-bed unit, but that has been expanded to 10 beds at the new emergency services building.

The project was completed thanks to a 600,000TL cash injection from the Aydin Special Provincial Administration.

The facility is 550sqm and is the first step towards providing a bigger ICU facility given the increase in the population of Didim in recent years.

Hospital manager Dr Fatma Aydogan said  a dedicated team of doctors and nurses will be appointed to the unit which officially opened this week.

It is the latest in a continuing upgrade of services and equipment at the hospital since Dr Aydogan arrived to manage the hospital in late 2012.

The hospital also has a new tomography unit and a dialysis centre.

She previously worked at Soke State Hospital for eight years, rising to deputy chief, before taking over her present position in Didim. Dr Aydogan was born in Soke and graduated from Ege University Faculty of Medicine.