ANTANANARIVO, June 25 -- The hospital donated by the Chinese government was inaugurated by Madagascar's President Hery Rajaonarimampianina on Wednesday in Anosiala Ambohidratrimo, in the outskirts of the capital.

During the inauguration, the Chinese ambassador to Madagascar Yang Min said these infrastructures are the fruits of the excellent relationship between Madagascar and China.

"The role of this hospital is to improve public health and we will bring technicians from China for maintenance," The ambassador said.

"With our mutual relations we will always support the Malagasy people in various fields to promote economic development," he added.

The Minister of Public Health Lalatiana Andriamanarivo said that this hospital has many services including kidney transplantation, pediatric, maternal health, pharmacy and laboratory performance.

"The hospital will serve also as place of research for medical students and studies for nurses," the minister said.

"This hospital proved the development of health in Madagascar. It is a step that we must do in the development of the country and it is among the key point in Madagascar's development plan," said the minister.

President Hery Rajaonarimampianina said that "This very modern and efficient hospital is the image of a strong friendship over 40 years of cooperation. It's a gem of modernity for the Malagasy population and public health."

"You saw today that countries, like China, support the efforts of the Government for the benefit of the population in public health, education, housing and security. We will continue in this direction," the president told the journalist after the ceremony.

Built in an area of 23,400 sq meters, this 150-bed hospital was built by the Chinese company SOGECOA during 13 months and cost 40 billion Ariary (about 13 million U.S. dollars).

The hospital has 90 employees, including 49 doctors, 17 paramedics and others.