Set Sail! The "Silk Road Ark" Hospital Ship Executes the "Health Delivery to Maritime Borders" Mission

China Military News Zhanjiang, May 31 (Reporter Lu Dongfang, Zhang Dongpan) reported: At 10:00 on May 31, the Chinese Navy hospital ship "Silk Road Ark" set sail from a military port in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, officially launching the "Health Delivery to Maritime Borders" mission to the South China Sea and coastal islands of South China. This is the third time the "Silk Road Ark" hospital ship has carried out the "Health Delivery to Maritime Borders" mission since it was commissioned in 2024.

Medical personnel gather at the dock to board the ship. Photo by Zhang Dongjie

This "Health Delivery to Maritime Borders" mission focuses on the common health needs of soldiers stationed on the islands and reefs, such as neck, shoulder, waist, and leg pain, skin diseases, and chronic illnesses. It coordinates high-quality medical resources from the entire military, equips both traditional Chinese and Western medical diagnostic and treatment equipment along with commonly used medications, and forms a multidisciplinary medical service team. The mission will combine onboard consultations, island visits for medical check-ups, and home visits to provide free consultations, physical examinations, traditional Chinese medicine therapy, surgical treatment, health education, and other services for the stationed soldiers and their families. During the voyage, it will also conduct maritime casualty rescue drills, support for health personnel, and maintenance of medical equipment, effectively addressing the "last mile" of medical services at sea and significantly enhancing frontline health logistics support capabilities. Additionally, key members of the Southern Theater Navy's cultural service team and political work team will also accompany the ship to conduct cultural service activities on the islands and reefs.

Medical personnel gather at the dock to board the ship. Photo by He Kexin

As the second 10,000-ton ocean-going hospital ship independently designed and built by China, the "Silk Road Ark" hospital ship successfully completed the "Harmonious Mission-2025" task, which lasted 234 days, on April 26 this year, and after a brief port adjustment, it was put into this "Health Delivery to Maritime Borders" mission.

On May 31, the Chinese Navy hospital ship "Silk Road Ark" set sail from a military port in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, to carry out the "Health Delivery to Maritime Borders" mission. Aerial photo by Zhang Dongjie