Douala: Chinese health ship, Peace Ark, treats over 6,800 Cameroonians in one week.

Governor Ivaha Diboua expressed profound gratitude to the Chinese government and the crew of Peace Ark for their dedicated work. He noted that the success of the mission, which exceeded expectations by treating over 600 patients daily, is one to be lauded. 

“For seven days, Peace Ark was able to treat 6,812 patients, among them 20 who underwent glaucoma surgeries,” the governor said.

According to the official, over the course of the week, thousands of Cameroonians from across the country travelled to Douala to seek medical treatment. 

Patients, he said, were treated for a variety of ailments, including cataracts, glaucoma, skin diseases, respiratory issues, and other conditions that required specialised care. 

The Chinese medical staff, Governor Ivaha Diboua said worked tirelessly to ensure that each patient received the attention they needed, with the number often surpassing their daily target. 

Governor Ivaha Diboua acknowledged that despite the mission’s success, there were still challenges. 

“Unfortunately, certain obstacles did not allow the ship to cater for all the patients who came from far and wide to benefit from the Chinese government’s generosity,” he said. 

Strengthening bilateral relations through healthcare

According to the governor, beyond providing healthcare, the Peace Ark mission also served as a platform for collaboration between Chinese and Cameroonian medical professionals.

Governor Diboua stated that during the mission, there was equally knowledge and skills transfer, as Chinese medics worked side by side with Cameroonian counterparts, particularly those in the military.

“The cooperation between the medical staff of Peace Ark and our doctors, especially in the military and other hospitals, is something we deeply appreciate,” he said.

He added that medical staff from the Second Region Military Hospital, Laquintinie Hospital, and other local institutions worked closely with the Chinese team, learning new techniques and exchanging expertise. 

The exchange of knowledge, he suggested, will have a long-term benefits for the country’s healthcare system, as local medics are now better equipped to handle complex medical procedures.

“The transfer of competence and expertise could go a long way in strengthening the relationship between our two countries in the domain of health,” Ivaha Diboua noted. 

Governor Ivaha Diboua in farewell handshake with Chinese ship captain 

He also praised the Chinese government for its continued support, urging them to consider returning for future missions.

“While thanking you for coming to Cameroon, we hope that you will come up with a programme for another mission in the future,” he added.

The farewell ceremony, the governor said was not just a moment to reflect on the medical achievements of the past week but also an opportunity to strengthen the ties between Cameroon and China. 

The governor also expressed hope that the Peace Ark would return in the near future to continue its work in improving healthcare access in the country. The Peace Ark it should be said began its mission on October 7 and concluded on October 14. 

It had as objective, delivering free medical care in areas such as paediatrics, ophthalmology, dermatology, general surgery, and internal medicine and critical cases were handled aboard the ship itself.

Cameroon is the 48th country to benefit from this project. The ship left Cameroon with its next destination being Benin.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No: 3261 of Wednesday October 16, 2024