China's "Silk Road Ark" hospital ship left Zhanjiang port in south China's Guangdong Province on Wednesday on a medical mission to provide care to Chinese soldiers stationed on islands in the South China Sea.
The ship has 14 clinical departments including orthopedics, general surgery, dermatology and gastroenterology.
"After receiving the order, we took the initiative to meet the needs of front-line officers and soldiers, planned in advance, and made full preparations for supplies and procedures. All members of our medical team will treat officers and soldiers on the islands with superb technology and quality service, helping them to stay healthy," said Pu Yanhua, a medic with the Southern Theater Command First Naval Hospital.
The Silk Road Ark, China's second domestically designed and built ocean-going hospital ship in the 10,000 ton class, provides medical aid and transfer for those injured at sea, visits residents and soldiers on China's islands and carries out international humanitarian medical services, as well as conducting foreign military medical exchanges and cooperation.
"As a hospital ship, it is very maneuverable and can get to an affected area quickly to provide medical assistance services. It also has transfer capabilities through various means. When operating in areas with no ports, medics and medical supplies can be transferred ashore by helicopter and ambulance boat," said Luo Jixing, a sailor aboard the "Silk Road Ark".
"As a large ocean-going hospital ship, it will not only provide reliable medical security, but also be a strong spiritual pillar for the Chinese Navy and its sailors to travel further across the ocean," said Li Xiao, another sailor aboard the "Silk Road Ark".
China's "Silk Road Ark" hospital ship sails to islands in South China Sea to treat soldiers
