Medical teams aboard the Chinese navy hospital ship "Peace Ark", currently on the "Mission Harmony-2024", have been delivering high-quality health-care services to locals in Djibouti since the ship's arrival on Friday.
At around 10:00 local time on Saturday, the hospital's endocrinology department admitted a 66-year-old woman who had been suffering from a long-standing ulcer on her left foot. After reviewing her medical history and symptoms, the doctor diagnosed her with type 2 diabetes complicated by a foot ulcer. Following a series of physical examinations, the doctor provided appropriate symptomatic treatment for her.
"We rely on the hospital ship's joint diagnosis and treatment mechanism, which involves the endocrinology, ultrasound, and dermatology departments. This approach avoids repeated medical visits and tests for the patient, offering better health plans for managing her diabetes and preventing further complications," said Zhang Keming, a doctor on the Mission Harmony-2024.
Eighty-year-old Martina, accompanied by her son, also sought treatment there. Martina had been nearly blind in her left eye for the past three months. After a thorough examination, the ophthalmologist successfully performed cataract surgery on Saturday evening.
During the Mission Harmony-2024, the Peace Ark hospital ship has helped restore eyesight to nearly 200 African cataract patients, bringing hope to local communities.
"On our first day of medical services, we screened four patients who were blinded by cataracts and met the surgical criteria. Martina was the oldest among them. Our greatest wish for this mission is to help more African patients regain their sight," said Gao Yu, another doctor on the mission.
The Peace Ark docked at the Djibouti Port on Friday to begin a seven-day friendly visit while providing medical services. This marks the third visit to Djibouti by the hospital ship, following its previous visits in 2010 and 2017 as part of the Mission Harmony.
China's hospital ship provides healthcare services for Djibouti residents
