The Chinese hospital ship, known as the Peace Ark, is equipped with advanced medical facilities and an onboard medical rescue helicopter.

CAPE TOWN – The South African Military Health Service says more than 1,000 Capetonians have taken up the opportunity for free medical care being offered on board a Chinese hospital ship docked at the V & A Waterfront in Cape Town.

The Chinese hospital ship, known as the Peace Ark, is equipped with advanced medical facilities and an onboard medical rescue helicopter.

This is part of a joint medical mission between the South African National Defence Force and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.

Since last week Thursday, patients have been enjoying free healthcare services including surgical procedures, in-patient treatment, and lab procedures.

The South African Military Health Service’s Lesiba Ledwaba said the medical mission is the first of its kind in the country.

“In the past three days we’ve seen a multitude of patients, we’ve seen over one thousand patients with more than one thousand five hundred departmental consultations. So it’s an integrated system consisting of various departments in one hospital ship,” Ledwaba said.

The Peace Ark will leave South African shores for Angola this coming Thursday.

At the same time, the medical mission between the South African army and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army has been hailed as a game changer.

A patient, Caitlin April, who’s almost two months pregnant – spoke to Eyewitness News about her experience onboard the hospital ship…

“I don’t have medical aid anymore because the prices are too high, so this was perfect timing. I just went for my six weeks scan the prices are usually high at private hospitals. So, I decided to come here, and it was the best choice.”