The Chinese hospital ship Auspicious Ark, also known as the "Auspicious Ark", has docked at the Autonomous Port of Conakry, Guinea, as part of the "Harmony-2026" medical humanitarian mission. The ship will stay in Conakry until October 10, providing free medical consultations, examinations, and interventions to selected Guinean patients. This is the first international mission for the ship since its commissioning. The Auspicious Ark is the third Chinese oceanic hospital ship of its class, with a displacement of 10,000 tons, designed and built by China.
The Auspicious Ark has a comprehensive medical facility on board, with 18 clinical departments, five diagnostic units, and eight operating theaters. The ship can receive between 600 to 700 patients per day, with around 30 people able to benefit from a complete medical examination daily. Over 60 types of medical examinations, treatments, and interventions can be performed on board, including general surgery, orthopedics, gynecology-obstetrics, and ophthalmology. The ship is also equipped with a medical helicopter for evacuation and rescue operations.
Before arriving in Conakry, the Auspicious Ark made stops in Mauritania and Senegal. In Mauritania, the ship provided medical care to several thousand people, including a woman who gave birth to a baby via cesarean section on board. The Chinese Ministry of Defense reported that over 7,500 consultations were conducted during the Mauritania stop, along with over 30 surgical interventions and more than 140 health check-ups. In Senegal, the ship recorded 6,060 consultations, 29 operations, and 61 health check-ups during its stay from September 25 to October 1.
The Auspicious Ark's mission in Conakry follows a preselection campaign organized in September at the Mission Stadium in Kaloum. Many patients attended the campaign in hopes of receiving free medical care on board the ship. The Chinese medical teams on board presented various medical equipment, including those for ophthalmology, radiology, and intensive care. The ship also offers traditional Chinese medicine, including techniques such as cupping, scraping, and ear acupuncture.
The medical equipment on board includes an ophthalmic ultrasound device and other equipment for surgical cataract treatment. The ship's medical team demonstrated the use of cupping therapy, which involves applying glass pots to specific points on the body after creating a vacuum. The Auspicious Ark's mission in Guinea is part of a larger effort, with the ship scheduled to visit several countries in Africa and South Asia over a period of more than 200 days.
After Conakry, the Auspicious Ark is scheduled to make another stop in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, later in October. The Chinese Ministry of Defense stated that the "Harmony-2026" mission aims to provide medical care to people in need across the region. The ship's crew has been working tirelessly to provide medical care to patients in the countries it has visited so far.
The arrival of the Auspicious Ark in Conakry has brought hope to many Guineans who require medical attention. The ship's mission is a significant gesture of goodwill from the Chinese government, demonstrating its commitment to improving healthcare in Africa. The "Harmony-2026" mission is a testament to the growing cooperation between China and African countries in the healthcare sector.
Key points
- The Auspicious Ark will provide free medical care to selected Guinean patients from October 3 to 10.
- The ship has a comprehensive medical facility on board, with 18 clinical departments and eight operating theaters.
- The Auspicious Ark's mission in Conakry is part of a larger effort, with the ship scheduled to visit several countries in Africa and South Asia over a period of more than 200 days.
