Navy "Silk Road Ark" Hospital Ship Sets Sail for "Health Delivery to Maritime Borders" Mission

Xinhua News Agency, Guangzhou, May 31 (Liu Yinuo, Tang Lei) The Chinese Navy's hospital ship "Silk Road Ark" set sail on May 31 from a military port in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, heading to the South China Sea and coastal islands in South China to carry out the "Health Delivery to Maritime Borders" mission.

This mission focuses on common ailments among personnel stationed on the islands, such as neck, shoulder, waist, and leg pain, skin diseases, and chronic illnesses. It is equipped with both traditional Chinese and Western medical diagnostic and treatment equipment, as well as commonly used medications, and has formed a multidisciplinary medical service team. It will also carry cultural workers to provide dual support of "medical services + cultural outreach."

During the mission, the hospital ship will adopt a combination of "onboard diagnosis and treatment + island visits + home medical services" to provide free consultations, physical examinations, traditional Chinese medicine therapy, surgical treatment, and health education services to the personnel stationed on the islands and their families. It will also conduct maritime casualty rescue drills, support for health personnel, and maintenance of medical equipment.

The "Silk Road Ark" is the second 10,000-ton ocean-going hospital ship independently designed and built by China. This is the third time the ship has carried out the "Health Delivery to Maritime Borders" mission since it was commissioned in 2024.