Barbados’ Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kenneth George is actively encouraging citizens to utilize the comprehensive medical services available aboard the Chinese naval hospital vessel Silk Road Ark, currently stationed at Bridgetown Port. The appeal came following an official tour of the ship on Saturday, attended by Health Ministry officials and Barbados Defence Force representatives.
While promoting this unique healthcare opportunity, Dr. George acknowledged potential logistical challenges for public access. “We have encouraged the Barbadian public to use the opportunity,” he stated. “There will be some logistical issues because individuals can’t come directly into the port. Arrangements are being made for persons to come to Kensington Mall, with shuttle transportation provided.”
The medical chief clarified that the ship operates without appointment scheduling, recognizing this might create operational difficulties. Despite these limitations, he emphasized the broader significance of the vessel’s visit, describing it as a symbol of strengthening relations between Barbados and China.
Dr. George highlighted the enduring medical collaboration between the two nations, particularly at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH). “They provide healthcare services within the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, especially for services not readily available to us,” he explained. “They’ve been coming for several years now, and that cooperative agreement was again renewed. They were also very helpful during COVID, including with vaccines.”
The medical officer also revealed China’s commitment to send an eighth medical team to Barbados in the near future, further solidifying the partnership.
Shifting focus to Barbados’ regional contributions, Dr. George referenced the Barbados Defence Force’s recent medical deployment to Jamaica under the Helping Hands mission. “We don’t have as many resources as China, but Barbados also contributes,” he noted, detailing how medical professionals including nurses, doctors, and pharmacists were sent to support neighboring Jamaica.
The Silk Road Ark represents a significant medical resource, staffed by approximately 60 medical professionals and equipped with advanced facilities including full laboratory services, diagnostic capabilities, CT scans, ultrasounds, and surgical suites. While most staff aren’t nurses, the vessel maintains full surgical capabilities.
Dr. George indicated that health authorities have encouraged QEH to identify ambulatory cases from their backlog that could be addressed through the ship’s services, potentially providing same-day surgical interventions for eligible patients.
When questioned about Barbados potentially acquiring similar medical ship capabilities, Dr. George characterized this as a distant prospect, emphasizing that improving fundamental healthcare infrastructure should remain the immediate priority.