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Chinese hospital ship leaves lasting impact on Tanzania
What you need to know:
- Exceeding expectations, the Ark Peace treated over 8,000 patients in just six days, offering a wide range of medical services including cataract surgery
Dar es Salaam. The Chinese naval hospital ship, Ark Peace, which recently docked at the Dar es Salaam port, has left a profound impact on Tanzanians, who had long lost hope regarding their health.
The ship has also left some Tanzanians with mixed feelings regarding the provision of health services in Tanzania, with some demanding sustainable programmes to help locals access health treatment.
Initially expected to serve between 6,000 and 7,000 people, the floating hospital ultimately treated 8,070 Tanzanians, far exceeding expectations.
The ship treated an average of 1,000 patients per day, significantly more than the expected 600. Cataract extraction surgery was the most attended case, with the ship's commander, Su Qinfeng, highlighting the restoration of an 82-year-old man's vision as a noteworthy achievement.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s hospital arrived in Tanzania on July 16, 2024, through to July 23, 2024, having provided humanitarian assistance in collaboration with the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF).
The Ark Peace's six-day mission provided a lifeline for Tanzanians, particularly those from low-income backgrounds who often miss out on medical care due to high costs.
For individuals like Hassan Mohamed, a 55-year-old farmer from Tanga, the Ark Peace's visit was a miracle. After suffering from a heart condition for more than a decade, Mohamed expressed his gratitude.
“My children saved money for this trip. I’m glad that I was one of the luckiest, and now I am recovering well with medication.”
Ms Naza Fadhili made history as the first Tanzanian woman to give birth on the Ark Peace, a moment that marked the birth of Zakhir, the ‘Ark Peace baby’.
“We warmly welcome him to come to China to study and work when he grows up,” said the Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Ms Chen Mingjian, during a visit with Tanzania's former Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, January Makamba, to see the newborn.
This was the ship's third visit to Tanzania, following previous missions in 2010 and 2017. The ship’s mission commander, Rear Admiral Ying Hongbo, emphasised the significance of Zakhir's birth, calling it a “symbol of blood bond between the two nations.”
The ship’s visit underscored the ongoing military exchange and cooperation between China and Tanzania, according to Ambassador Chen.
She highlighted the importance of such a relationship, especially after President Samia Suluhu Hassan visited China in 2022, where she and President Xi Jinping agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
The Ark Peace’s service highlighted the dire need for specialised medical care in Tanzania. Thousands of citizens, particularly from poor backgrounds, flocked to the Ark Peace, hoping to receive treatment.
Unfortunately, not everyone could be treated due to the limited time and overwhelming number of patients.
One of those who missed out, Mr Jumanne Myuwili, remarked, “Even though I was on the list, I couldn’t manage to get in for treatment, but I was told I can continue at our local hospitals, which I will try to do.”
"But it would be good for these services to be available in the country even if they are periodically, in a well-organised manner, from one area to another. The government can seek partnerships with various entities to help prevent many deaths that could be avoided."
The Ark Peace has visited 46 countries and regions across three oceans and six continents, providing free humanitarian medical services to over 290,000 people since its commission.
The Ark Peace's visit has provided much-needed medical relief to thousands of Tanzanians and strengthened the bond between Tanzania and China.
