In a fundraising success that dwarfs the gross domestic products of some island nations, Massachusetts General Hospital has raised nearly $1 billion to help pay for a new tower.

The Boston Globe reports the top-ranked, Boston-based hospital has defied the economic slowdown and is two-thirds of the way through a fundraising scheme that aims to pay for a $579 million, 10-story tower, already under construction. The tower, set to open next year, will add 19 operating rooms and increase the number of hospital beds by one-fifth, the Globe said.

The rest of the money will be used to pay for patient care and fund innovative programs, such as having nurses ring up patients within three days of discharge to schedule follow-ups.

The hospital hopes to collect $1.5 billion through the program, which began five years ago, by 2013.

Philanthropists who have contributed include Bill and Melinda Gates, Philip and Susan Ragon and Peter and Paula Lunder, the Globe said.

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