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Hundreds gather at Honiara wharf in hopes to access Peace Ark Floating Hospital’s services
A substantial crowd of eager individuals gathered at the wharf today (Sunday), with the aspiration of securing a spot aboard the Peace Ark floating hospital. The vessel, dispatched by the People’s Republic of China, is on a goodwill visit to Honiara, providing medical care to locals until August 26, 2023.
Despite an early start, Ellen, a resident of East Honiara, expressed her disappointment at being unable to secure a place on the floating hospital. “I have been here since 9 o’clock in the morning but unfortunately I was not able to secure a space to get on the floating hospital,” she lamented. A significant number of residents were also present with their health cards, hoping for an opportunity to receive medical assistance aboard the ship.
The Peace Ark floating hospital, part of China’s Mission Harmony, arrived at Honiara Ports on Saturday, receiving a warm welcome from Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga. Speaking highly of China’s efforts in promoting peace and cordial international relations, Deputy Prime Minister Maelanga emphasized the significance of the ship’s mission in fostering collaboration and humanitarian values.
DPM Maelanga urged those in need of medical attention to seek assistance from the vessel within the next seven days. He emphasized that this opportunity is open to leaders, government officials, and ordinary citizens alike, providing them equal access to medical check-ups and surgical procedures onboard.
Despite the visit being in its early stages, the floating hospital quickly reached its daily patient limit, (said to be 600) by 2pm on the first day, Sunday.
Mary* (not her real name) a 72-year-old woman who traveled from Marau, expressed her desire for a comprehensive health check. “Communication is a barrier, so I just told them my symptoms and they gave me this medication,” Mary said, displaying a packet of paracetamol (not the type sold in shops in the country). Despite not satisfied with the service, she and her husband acknowledged the limitations of being outpatients. “It is outpatient service so it is generally understood”, they both said. They said maybe it would have been different if they were patients at the hospital or any clinic in the country, being referred to the Peace Ark for further medical checks.
Another patient, Barnabas, expressed deep satisfaction with the service he received onboard. Diagnosed with gout, he found the doctors’ advice valuable for his condition. “I suspected it but never got round to going to the clinic or to the doctor to get proper diagnosis. After I told the doctor on board the vessel my symptoms, they gave me this packet of medication and advised me to stay off from alcohol and to watch the food I eat,” he shared.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and his wife, Emmy Sogavare, visited the Peace Ark today (Sunday). Commander of Mission Harmony 2023, Rear Admiral Zhao Guangqing, welcomed them aboard. Prime Minister Sogavare expressed gratitude to China for the goodwill visit, highlighting the vessel’s name, “Peace,” as reflective of the global need for harmony. He likened the medical visit to the biblical Ark, a symbol of salvation and peace.
As the first day of general outpatient services concluded, Ports enforcement officers are expecting an influx of Honiara residents seeking medical assistance from the medical professionals onboard thia week onward for the next four days. An enforcement officer said he hoped proper communication is established between the stakeholders and the Chinese Embassy the coming days so that they can convey the correct information to the visiting residents. The Peace Ark is equipped with advanced medical technologies and staffed with over one hundred medical doctors and specialists in various fields.
