The Auspicious Ark provided medical care to 5,909 people and carried out approximately 40 surgical procedures during its visit to Tema under China’s Mission Harmony 2026.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy hospital ship, Auspicious Ark (Hull 868), has concluded its seven-day humanitarian medical mission in Ghana after providing healthcare services to 5,909 people.
The mission ended with a farewell ceremony at the Tema Port on Friday, October 30, 2026, marking the conclusion of the vessel’s first reported visit to Ghana under China’s Mission Harmony 2026 initiative.
According to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), the medical team attended to Ghanaians and Chinese nationals living in Ghana, offering a range of free services both aboard the vessel and through community outreach activities.
The services included general medical consultations, dental care, eye treatment, dermatological services, cardiovascular examinations, orthopaedic care, physiotherapy and laboratory investigations.
The team also performed approximately 40 surgical procedures during the mission, providing specialised treatment to patients as part of the humanitarian initiative.
Mission promotes medical cooperation
Beyond direct healthcare delivery, the visit created opportunities for professional exchanges between Ghanaian and Chinese medical personnel.
The engagements focused on specialised healthcare delivery, naval medicine and emergency medical response, with the aim of encouraging the sharing of clinical knowledge and experience between the two countries’ medical teams.
The arrival of the Auspicious Ark at Tema Port on October 23 marked the first reported visit by a Chinese naval hospital ship to Ghana. The seven-day programme combined medical services with engagements intended to strengthen professional relationships and humanitarian cooperation.
The Director of Medical Logistics, Brigadier General Michael Addy, joined other officials at the Tema Port to bid farewell to the crew and wish them a safe voyage.
In a statement marking the end of the mission, the Ghana Armed Forces expressed appreciation to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy, the mission commander and the medical team for their dedication and contribution to healthcare delivery in the country.
Strengthening Ghana-China relations
The mission forms part of broader efforts to deepen bilateral relations between Ghana and China through humanitarian assistance and professional collaboration.
The GAF said the initiative had improved access to healthcare for thousands of people while promoting friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
The conclusion of the visit marks another milestone in Ghana-China medical engagement, with the exchanges providing a platform for further collaboration in specialised healthcare and emergency medical response
