Surgeons from the Tianjin Medical University General Hospital conduct a minimally invasive operation on a cataract patient in north China's Tianjin Municipality, June 29, 2012. (Xinhua/Zhang Chaoqun)

ANNANARIVO, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- A group of Chinese ophthalmologists will be sent in November to Madagascar's capital Antananarivo to perform 200 cataract surgeries for Malagasy patients, the Chinese ambassador to Madagascar Yang Xiaorong has said.

A Memorandum of Understanding for Bright Journey Project in Madagascar, aimed at providing 200 free cataract surgeries scheduled in November, was signed on Tuesday by the Chinese Ambassador to Madagascar Yang Xiaorong and Madagascar's minister of Public Health Lalatiana Andriamanarivo.

"Madagascar has a real problem of accessibility, especially from a financial matter. Many patients cannot afford to be operated especially in the field of ophthalmology," Madagascar's minister of health said on Tuesday.

The minister of Health added that not only Chinese ophthalmologists will operate the patients freely but they will also leave their medical equipment for our Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona Hospital, he said.

Sino-Malagasy health cooperation dates back more than 40 years, and involves support for the construction and rehabilitation of hospital infrastructure, donation of materials and equipment, medical training, and sending of Chinese medical missions with various specialties every two years at several hospitals in the country.