Chinese naval hospital ship Ark Peace concludes Vanuatu tour

SUVA -- The Chinese naval hospital ship Ark Peace, which is on Mission Harmony - 2018, left Vanuatu's capital city of Port Vila for Fiji on Monday after wrapping up an eight-day visit for humanitarian medical service to the South Pacific Island nation.

During the visit from July 23 to July 30, Ark Peace dispatched on-site medical teams to local hospitals, villages, communities, schools and the center for the disabled for medical treatment, health knowledge dissemination, anti-epidemic and equipment repairs while conducting all-weather consultation and treatment at the major platform onboard.

The ship provided consultation and treatment for a total of 4,696 persons and auxiliary examinations, such as CT, DR, ultrasound and ECG, for 2,137 persons and surgical operation for 25 persons and admitted 22 inpatients.

July 30, 2018 marks the 38th Independence Day of Vanuatu. At the invitation of Vanuatu's President Tallis Obed Moses, the commanders of Mission Harmony - 2018 and 30 medical staff participated in the celebrations held at the Independence Square.

Local Vanuatuans expressed warm welcome to the Chinese guests from Ark Peace, saying that Ark Peace's second visit is the most valuable festival gift from the Chinese people to the people of Vanuatu.

Vanuatu's leaders attached great importance to Ark Peace's second visit. Both President Moses and Prime Minister Charlot Salwai met with the commanders of Mission Harmony2018 and their entourage separately, visited the medical staff and local inpatients onboard and attended the deck reception, and expressed welcome and appreciations to the hospital ship's visit on several occasions.

Ark Peace is currently heading for Fiji, the third stop of the mission.