Hospital constructed with Chinese aid inaugurated in Central African Republic

A hospital with a capacity of 100 beds was inaugurated on Tuesday at Bimbo, the main town of Ombella M'Poko region in southern Bangui, by the Central African Republic's President Francois Bozize and the Chinese ambassador to the country, Sun Haichao. Constructed on a radius of 5,000 square meters, Bimbo hospital will offer a number of medical treatments such as surgery, gynaecological services, obstetrical services, pediatric services, ophthalmological services, radiology and dental treatment. The Central African Republic's Health Minister Jean Michel Mandaba said the Bimbo hospital will be the number one health facility in Ombella M'Poko and Lobaye regions. He noted that this modern hospital will also help to decongest the main hospitals in Bangui. Sun Haichao said that the Chinese government would provide equipment worth 1.5 million U.S. dollars to ensure proper functioning of the hospital. China and the Central African Republic have so far signed about 30 agreements for economic and technical cooperation. The Chinese diplomat revealed that there are about 50 development projects funded by the Chinese government to the tune of 50 million dollars which are either completed or at the implementation stage in the Central African Republic.