The crew of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship "Silk Road Ark", which arrived in Fiji on Wednesday, has been working tirelessly to provide free medical services to local people.
The ship features 14 clinical departments and seven auxiliary diagnostic units, capable of performing over 60 types of medical procedures spanning general surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, and more.
The medical team had their busiest day in the South Pacific island country on Saturday, as long lines of local people queued for treatment.
"The doctors have been working tirelessly, from sunshine in the morning to this hour, working very hard," said Endy Ben, a local volunteer.
Mrs. Lei, a 70-year-old overseas Chinese who has been in Fiji for more than 40 years, rushed to the hospital ship with her son after learning the arrival of the vessel. Her son, who had suffered from abdominal swelling for half a year, was diagnosed with umbilical hernia and later underwent a surgery on the ship.
"I know the doctors here have great medical skills. We only waited two hours for the operation. They were really considerate and caring. Excellent service. I truly appreciate their help," Lei said.
From Wednesday to Saturday, the ship hospital conducted 700 medical examinations, admitted 13 patients, and perform 10 surgeries, providing free medical services for 1,242 people.
The medical staff's professional, patient, and friendly services have earned high praise from the local government and communities.
The ship hospital is on a humanitarian medical service mission to the South Pacific and Latin America.
Dubbed Mission Harmony-2025, the mission marks the 11th iteration of Mission Harmony since 2010 and the first overseas mission for "Silk Road Ark," China's second domestically designed and constructed 10,000-tonne-class standard ocean-going hospital ship.
The 220-day mission, the longest in the series, will see the ship visit around a dozen nations, including Nauru, Fiji, Tonga, Mexico, Jamaica, Barbados, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and Papua New Guinea, to provide humanitarian medical services.
Chinese hospital ship provides free medical services for Fijians
