President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia on Thursday opened the Sheikh Zayed Hospital in the nation's capital Mogadishu.

Present at the opening ceremony were Mohammed Ahmed Al Othman, UAE Ambassador to Somalia, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, Somali Prime Minister, Mahd Oud Abdulla, 2nd Deputy Speaker of Federal Parliament of Somalia, Hawa Hassan, Somali Health Minister, Hassan Hussein Mongab, Mayor of Mogadishu, Nicholas Kay, UN Special Representative for Somalia, ministers, heads of diplomatic missions and other personalities.

In the first phase, the Sheikh Zayed Hospital will receive 300 patients who will receive free medical care. The hospital also has other specialised sections for a day surgery and radiology.

President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud said the hospital is equipped to the highest standards and will provide excellent medical services to the Somali citizens.

"The second phase will see the hospital expanded to a 200-bed capacity with four major surgery rooms and units for different specialisations," he added.

The Somali President said that besides setting up development projects in Somalia, the UAE also provides considerable support to the country in the fields of security, education, health-care and reconstruction.

Ambassador Al Othman said the hospital will receive 300 patients a day who will get free medical treatment services.

He said the UAE seeks to provide medical services to all categories of citizens and is currently building clinics in different Somali cities.

The Sheikh Zayed Hospital is part of the Somalia development project undertaken by the UAE.