The new Cherokee Indian Hospital in Cherokee, North Carolina. Photo from Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority / Facebook

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina debuted an $82 million health facility that Chief Patrick Lambert called a testament to the tribe's self-determination.

The 150,000 square-foot Cherokee Indian Hospital was financed completely by the tribe. It will serve an estimated 12,000 patients.

"It is the self-determination of our tribe which symbolizes our success for managing our own affairs," Lambert said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony today, The Cherokee One Feather reported. "Our tribe has set up our own people to manage our health care.”

The hospital is part of the Indian Health Service. The tribe took over operations through a self-determination contract in 2002.

The hospital sits adjacent to the old facility, which will be converted for other health care uses, WLOS reported.

Get the Story:
NEW CHEROKEE INDIAN HOSPITAL OPENS (The Cherokee One Feather 10/15)
New Hospital Celebrated on Cherokee Reservation (WLOS 10/15)

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