Silk Road Ark sails in with health, goodwill

COVER STORY

CHINA is known for its extensive history that predates much of modern civilisation that has been recorded so far.

Among its many ageless artefacts and dominant dynasties, the country is also famous for hosting a large part of the Silk Road – an ancient trade route that got its name from the Chinese silk that was a highly valued commodity transported by merchants along the vast network.

And just as these road links had connected people to move goods and services in the past, so too has a modern-day Chinese naval medical ship done in the present by bringing about healthcare to the needy.

Commissioned in 2024, the Silk Road Ark, a state-of-the-art ship independently designed and built by China, set sail last September to carry out the “Mission Harmony 2025”, with Papua New Guinea (PNG) being the last stop on its worldwide voyage.

This visit is the third of a Chinese medical ship to PNG, following earlier tours by the Peace Ark in 2014 and 2018.

Silk Road Ark is staffed with approximately 100 medical personnel and equipped with eight operating rooms, 300 beds, and a wide range of advanced medical facilities such as two triage areas, one surgical area with eight operating rooms and 300 hospital beds, examination, laboratory and pathology rooms, auxiliary support facilities for blood supply and oxygen generation, and outpatient departments of internal medicine, surgery, dentistry, ophthalmology and traditional Chinese medicine.

The 178-metre ship docked at the main wharf in Port Moresby last Wednesday and opened its doors to the public the next day for a five-day service to city residents.

Testimonies on the Silk Road Ark

Droves of people in the national capital braved the scorching heat in the hope of boarding the Silk Road Ark to get free medical services.

Despite the recent fuel crisis and increased fares of public transportation around the city, many people made their way to the main wharf downtown to get on the Chinese medical ship.

Joseph Dama, who sought treatment for problems that had been affecting his sight for years, was among the thousands that waited patiently in line to board the ship last Thursday. Dama, 65, was up by 6am and made his way from Eight-Mile to the ship, after paying K6 on a public bus. He made the trip after reading an article in The National last Tuesday about the ship’s five-day stay in the capital.

“I am happy to come here as I was treated well and given new glasses to see better,” Dama said.

“This is a great service that has been provided for free to all of us here.”

Mareta Heni brought her eight-year-old daughter, Silona, as early as 6am to get treated for a skin disease. Heni, from Hanuabada, said: “Even though we waited in line until 10am to get in, we were served immediately and my daughter’s illness has been treated.

“We were told by our local doctors that Silona had to wait until she was 10 years’ old before they can do anything. But when we came here, the Chinese doctor was able to treat her condition today.”

Leon Weso, 42, said that he visited the ship after being in the city for the last four months, travelling from Mendi, Southern Highlands, to receive treatment at the Port Moresby General Hospital for a heart condition. Weso, who resides at Vadavada, said he saved more than K2,000 with the free medicine received last Thursday.

“This is a great opportunity for some of us with serious medical conditions,” he said.

“I have now saved some money with the free medicine provided.”

Andrew Filfi, 64, said he was impressed with the services provided by the Silk Road Ark. Filfi, who made his way from Badili, said: “The way they did things here was very organised and efficient. We need to learn from them and improve our health services in the country.”

PNG, China and healthcare

China’s bond with Papua New Guinea has been made even stronger with the visit of the Silk Road Ark to Port Moresby, Ambassador Yang Xiaoguang says.

Yang said that more than 5,000 persons were treated, including 340 surgeries performed, on the Chinese navy medical ship during its five-day stay.

“This is a visit that benefits the people,” he said.

“Chinese medical experts have provided various physical examination and treatment services to around 5,500 local residents, performed over 340 surgeries, and visited communities to offer medical services – all free of charge.

“The ship also dispatched a team to visit local schools for cultural exchanges. These have brought tangible benefits to the people of PNG. The hard work of all the medical staff has made significant contributions to the improvement of the health of PNG people, as well as the deepening of the friendship between our two sides.”

Yang said China stood ready to improve its bilateral cooperation with PNG in the future, particularly in the field of healthcare. Medical and health cooperation has always been a highlight in our bilateral relationship, he said.

“China has sent medical teams to PNG for 24 consecutive years. We have supported PNG to build the New Enga Hospital, and provided large quantities of medical equipment and medicines.

“During the past few days, the Chinese medical experts on the hospital ship have had in-depth exchanges with their PNG counterparts, making new contributions to the development of medical services in PNG. The commanders of the hospital ship also held in-depth and friendly exchanges with PNG’s political and military senior officials, jointly looking ahead to the broad prospects for practical cooperation between the two sides.”

Yang added that China would work hand in hand with PNG to seize the important historical juncture of the 50th anniversary of China-PNG diplomatic relations and the opening year of the 15th five-year plan, to further advance the China-PNG comprehensive strategic partnership for greater benefits of both countries.

“The visit of the Silk Road Ark fully demonstrates the profound friendship of the Chinese people toward the people of PNG. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the China-PNG diplomatic relations. Over the past five decades, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of our two countries and the joint efforts of our peoples, the ship of China-PNG friendship and cooperation has been navigating the waves and sailing steadily forward,” he said.

Challenges in PNG’s health sector

Last Wednesday, Health Minister Elias Kapavore hailed the arrival of the Silk Road Ark. He described the Chinese medical ship as a “vessel for healing and “a symbol of solidarity”.

On March 18, he told Parliament that PNG’s increasing population continued to put a strain on the country’s health system which has one health worker for every 1,000 persons.

“When our nation gained Independence in 1975, the health sector was in its infancy,” Kapavore said.

“Services were basic, concentrated in towns, and dependent on overseas doctors, nurses, and administrators. Many rural areas had little more than aid posts built from bush materials. Population growth at 2.7 per cent annually is creating a demand for services that outstrips our current availability of budget for services.

“While 87 per cent of our population lives in rural areas, only 34 per cent of our workforce serves there. Today, we have one health care worker for every 1,000 people. This is well below the World Health Organisation’s standard of a minimum of four healthcare workers for every 1,000 people.

“This imbalance continues to deny rural communities fair and equitable access to healthcare as it cannot be delivered without people. The double burden of non-communicable diseases alongside the continued spread of communicable diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/Aids, along with an unmet need for mental health services, places enormous pressure on our limited health resources.

“Non-communicable diseases are more difficult and more expensive to treat. We are seeing a concerning increase in these lifestyle diseases like, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases, which are driven by poor diet, smoking and alcohol use and inactivity.”

Kapavore made the remarks when presenting a ministerial statement on the challenges and progress of the country’s health sector.

He said that the Government, among its other initiatives to improve the country’s healthcare system, was committed to addressing the issue of the workforce shortage.

“Of the 32,064 established positions in the health sector, 11,135 remain unfilled, highlighting the urgent need for stronger recruitment, deployment, training and retention strategies,” he said.

“The recruitment for 7,000 of these vacancies of health care workers, particularly for rural and underserved areas is underway. Whilst this recruitment is positive, we still need to substantially increase the number of health workers.

“A 2024 analysis projected that by 2032, PNG will need at least 44,061 health workers to meet the increased demand for primary care services of our growing population.”

 Kapavore added that sustainable investment in improving infrastructure, workforce, medical supply systems and public health programmes of the sector was crucial for national development.

“In 2026, the Government further strengthened this commitment by allocating K3.21 billion to the sector,” he said.

“Investing in health is one of the greatest investments we can make for the future of our nation. We need to invest in education, accelerate recruitment, incentivise rural work and support continuous professional development. We must also foster a culture that values our health workers, prioritises their wellbeing, and ensures they have safe working conditions.

“Over the past five decades, Papua New Guinea has journeyed from a fragmented and fragile health system at Independence, to one that is modernising, expanding, and increasingly capable of delivering advanced specialist services once thought impossible.”

A vessel of peace and hope

During an evening function on the Silk Road Ark on Monday, Prime Minister James Marape said greater global peace, unity, and cooperation was needed now more than ever as all countries must unite for the common good of the people.

Marape said the recent visit of the Chinese medical ship was a demonstration of what could be achieved when global powers used their resources for humanitarian purposes, particularly in providing critical services like healthcare.

He reflected on the broader global context, calling on nations with influence and capability to prioritise peace and cooperation.

“This vessel reflects the kind of leadership the world needs — leadership that uplifts lives, shares knowledge, and promotes peace,” he said.

 “In a world facing many challenges, we need more harmony and understanding,” he said.

“Nations with strength must use that strength to serve humanity, not to create division or conflict. Advancements in science, medicine, and technology must always be directed towards improving human lives. These advancements must always be used to protect life, to heal, and to serve humanity.

He said the Silk Road Ark stood as a symbol of how global powers could use their resources for humanitarian purposes, particularly in providing critical services such as healthcare.

He also reaffirmed Papua New Guinea’s independent foreign policy, emphasising that the country remained committed to maintaining positive relations with all nations.

“Papua New Guinea will always remain a friend to all and an enemy to none,” he said.

He noted that PNG continued to engage constructively with global partners, including the United States and Australia, while appreciating China’s respect for PNG’s sovereign decisions.

“We value relationships that are built on mutual respect, understanding, and shared benefit,” he added.

“The Pacific must remain a region of peace, cooperation, and mutual respect. We must continue to work together to build a future that benefits all our people.”

Marape thanked the Chinese government for providing free healthcare for Papua New Guineans with the Silk Road Ark. He said the visit was both historic and meaningful as it also marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between both countries.

“This week has been a very special one for our country,” Marape said.

“I extend our heartfelt thanks to the commander and all medical personnel who have come to serve our people. You have not only delivered medical care — you have strengthened friendship and goodwill between our nations.

“The presence of this vessel in our waters is not just about advanced capability — it is about humanity, compassion, and service to the people.”