"Harvest Gratitude and Praise", China's Action Hospital | Medical | China
According to the Guardian website on August 4th, as competition in the Pacific becomes increasingly fierce, Chinese hospitals are visiting Tonga by boat.
According to reports, as the United States and its allies increasingly compete for Pacific influence, thousands of Tongans are seeking medical treatment on a Chinese Navy hospital ship docked at the capital port, praising the free medical services provided by Beijing.
This hospital ship is equipped with doctors and nurses and has been docked in Nukualofa for 7 days. Since its listing in 2008, this hospital ship named "Ark of Peace" has visited more than 40 countries and regions. The locations it visited on this trip also include Kiribati, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and East Timor.
On August 2nd, the Chinese Navy's "Ark of Peace" hospital ship docked in Tonga for a friendly visit and provided medical services. Local residents came to register for medical treatment.
Although most Tongans can access local medical services on the island, the arrival of this Chinese hospital ship has still attracted many people, some due to the modern medical equipment on board, and others seeking traditional Chinese medicine treatment - which local hospitals do not have.
According to reports, people have rushed from all over Tonga, including Mele Maca from the village of Tatacamo Tonga, who came with her two children for a medical examination.
She said, "I am very grateful for allowing my children to receive free medical examinations. I have a 9-year-old son and a 7-year-old daughter, and I would like to have their ears, eyes, and teeth examined. The doctor told me that they are all in good health, and I am very happy."
As of Wednesday, Chinese hospital ships have undergone dozens of surgical procedures and thousands of other treatments. Ophthalmology, orthopedics, and traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment rooms have the highest number of patients.
Ramona Moala, who is currently 88 years old, went blind this year due to an eye surgery. She said she hopes the doctors on board can help her restore her vision. She said, "The local doctor told me that this type of eye disease is what Chinese doctors are best at treating."
Satki Tonoa from Puke Village is 68 years old this year. He came to see his arm fracture. He said, "The staff on the ship were very enthusiastic and we received good treatment."
There are also many Tonga people queuing up to find the medical experts on board, including 44 year old Emily Tuva, who has just been diagnosed with stomach cancer; Hamani Taufa, 37 years old, wants to know if there is a cure for his paralysis problem.
Prime Minister Hu Akawameliku praised the service of the hospital ship in his speech and told people in need of medical treatment to seek treatment on the ship. The Tonga Ministry of Health also cooperates to send patients who require special treatment to the ship.
The report also stated that in addition to the medical services on board, the hospital ship also dispatched medical teams to schools and community health centers in Tonga to provide health education and promote health knowledge.
