KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant development for hurricane-stricken Jamaica, the Chinese naval hospital ship Silk Road Ark has arrived in Jamaican waters, bringing substantial medical reinforcement to the Caribbean nation. The vessel, carrying 104 specialized medical personnel, represents a major international effort to support Jamaica’s healthcare system following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.
Jamaica’s Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, confirmed the ship’s arrival during a Thursday press briefing, noting that the medical vessel reached Jamaican territorial waters on November 22 and is currently stationed at Pedro Keys. The ship is scheduled to relocate to Falmouth Pier during the upcoming weekend, where it will begin operations.
The medical contingent aboard includes 60 physicians, 32 nursing professionals, pharmaceutical experts, and technical staff, creating a comprehensive healthcare delivery capability. Dr. Tufton emphasized that this infusion of medical expertise will significantly enhance Jamaica’s capacity to provide critical healthcare services during the recovery period.
Minister Tufton expressed profound gratitude to the Chinese government for their timely assistance, stating: “This medical floating vessel, complete with personnel and equipment, represents exactly the type of support we need as we work to rebuild our healthcare infrastructure. The Office of the Chief Medical Officer is coordinating with the Chinese medical team to develop the most effective approach for patient treatment and clinical support.”
The Chinese medical mission joins similar efforts from multiple nations including the United Kingdom, United States, India, Spain, and Israel, all of which have dispatched medical teams to assist Jamaica in its post-hurricane recovery. This collective international response highlights the global solidarity in addressing the healthcare challenges posed by natural disasters in the Caribbean region.