Idleb, Northern Syria, (SANA)-Minister of Health Rida Said opened on Thursday the National Hospital in Marret al-Noman, Idleb, with a total cost of SP 1.1 billion on an area of 70.000 sq. m.

The hospital building was completely funded by the Ministry while the Italian Government contributed to financing medical and technical equipment with SP 450 million as an introduction to a twinship agreement between Marret Hospital and an Italian hospital.

Italian Ambassador in Damascus Akelli Amirio said at the opening ceremony that his government has allocated a sum of 1.1 million Euros to provide training for the new hospital's staff.

Governor of Idleb Khalid al-Ahmad said the hospital, which is part of the Syrian government's investment plan to develop the health sector in the governorate, will provide medical services for about half a million people.

Haifa Said  /Idelbi