Abu Dhabi, 24 September 2005(WAM)--A new specialized hospitalfor women and children will be built in Abu Dhabi , it was announced hereon Saturday.

To be named the +Mother of the Nation Hospital+, the new facility willbe constructed as a token of appreciation for the role that H.H SheikhaFatima bint Mubarak has played in the feild of materity and childcare.

An agreement for the construction of the hospital was signed today bya local medical services firm with a South African partner.

In remarks after signing the agreement, Ali Mohammed Al Hammadi, Chairmanof the local company , Al Sharqiya Medical Services, described the signing of the agreement as the beginning of cooperation between the privatesector in both the UAE and South Africa.

Al Hammadi extended thanks to General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE ArmedForces for his continued support and endeavors to upgrade medical servicesin the country to international standards.