The Chinese naval hospital ship, Peace Ark, docked in Cape Town harbour on Thursday, 22 August 2024. Its arrival was celebrated with waving flags, music, and a dancing dragon alongside military dignitaries and members of the South African Chinese community.
South Africa-China collaboration
The ship’s arrival followed China’s Minister, Liu Jinchao’s visit to South Africa earlier this month as part of efforts to strengthen China-South Africa relations.
South African Military Health Service (SAMHS) Brigadier General Kwena Mabotja stated that SAMHS specialists and the Western Cape Department of Health specialists would be joining the Chinese specialists on board the vessel, as reported by capetownetc.
“It’s a multi-national, multi-agency exercise.”
Brigadier General Kwena Mabotja, SAMHS
Medical assistance: ‘Mission Harmony’
The operation, called Mission Harmony, will include outreach visits to several areas in Cape Town. The governments hope that Mission Harmony will strengthen military and diplomatic ties. The aim is also to allow for skills transfer between the two countries. In addition, it aims to address the backlog of health issues in both the military and civilian environments.
The South African National Defence Force stated on social media that clinicians provided comprehensive medical care to people from the District Six area on the first day.
Together, SAMHS and the medical team from China plan to treat up to 600 patients per day aboard the Peace Ark, serving the local community in the Western Cape.
Who will benefit from the medical services?
According to Dr Saadiq Kariem from the Western Cape Department of Health, there is a backlog of over 80 000 surgeries in the province.
The Chinese medical team will join South African medical teams at two Western Cape hospitals to perform surgeries. Additionally, the Peace Ark medical personnel will provide primary health care services on board the ship to homeless people.
The Chinese hospital ship will be docked in Cape Town harbour until Thursday, 29 August 2024.
Have you seen the Chinese hospital ship?
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