China's 'Ark Peace' provides free medical services

The Chinese PLA Navy's hospital ship 'Ark Peace,' which is currently on a goodwill visit to Sri Lanka, started providing free medical services for Sri Lankans today. As part of this program, officers from the Sri Lanka Navy and their families were treated this morning by the hospital ship's medical staff. The medical services will be provided until 5.30pm today.  

According to Chinese officials on board the vessel, the ship is home to almost 400 personnel. This includes 100 doctors and nurses who will be providing treatment free of charge. 

Designed and built in China, the hospital ship 'Ark Peace' is an emergency medical support platform at sea. She boasts eight operating rooms, seven doctor offices as well as eight nurse stations and 300 sickbeds. Commanded by Captain Guo Baofeng, the ship is equipped with advanced medical facilities including CT scan and color ultrasound equipment.. A Z-8 rescue helicopter is also available on board. 

One additional feature observed on the vessel was tthat there were also facilities to provide traditional Chinese medicine. 

While Sri Lanka was initially due to be a technical stop, where the ship intended to stock up its provisions, naval officers on board the ship said that it was decided to extend the ship's stay in Sri Lanka to provide free medical services given the presence of a large Chinese workforce and expatriate community in Sri Lanka and also considering the needs of Sri Lankans. 

The 'Ark Peace,' which arrived at Colombo Port on Sunday (6) will depart tomorrow (9) to continue its mission. It will be visiting Djibouti, Sierra Leone, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Mozambique, Tanzania, and East Timor and technically berth in Spain and Indonesia. 

The ship's mission will conclude this December when the ship returns to China. 

Since her commission, 'Ark Peace' has sailed altogether 170, 000 nautical miles for over 13, 000 hours, visited 29 countries covering three oceans and five continents, providing free medical service to over 12, 000 people overseas, according to the Chinese Embassy. 

This is the sixth occassion that the 'Ark Peace' is engaged in 'Mission Harmony' since the missions first commenced in 2010. 

Pix by Indika Handuwala

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