Chinese naval hospital ship arrives in Tema for a seven-day medical mission

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy hospital ship, AUSPICIOUS ARK (Hull 868), has arrived at Tema port for a seven-day humanitarian medical mission and friendly visit to Ghana under Mission Harmony 2026.

The vessel arrived on Friday, October 23, 2026, marking its first reported visit to the country. The mission is expected to provide medical services to the public and strengthen professional exchanges between Ghanaian and Chinese military medical personnel.

The Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, Commodore Raymond Kyaano, who was the Guest of Honour at the arrival ceremony, welcomed the ship and its crew on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong, and the Ghana Armed Forces.

He described the visit as an important opportunity to advance humanitarian assistance, deepen medical cooperation and promote the health and well-being of Ghanaians.

Commodore Kyaano also commended the visiting crew for their commitment to humanitarian service, noting that the provision of specialised medical care demonstrated the values of compassion, service and international solidarity.

The Mission Commander and Commanding Officer of AUSPICIOUS ARK, Rear Admiral Guan Bailin, expressed confidence that the visit would expand medical exchanges and strengthen professional relationships between the medical teams of the two countries.

He said the engagements would facilitate the sharing of clinical knowledge and experience, particularly in naval medicine, specialised healthcare delivery and emergency medical response.

The mission is also expected to allow personnel from both countries to learn from each other’s healthcare practices and approaches to humanitarian assistance.

As part of the programme, the ship will provide medical consultations and other healthcare services to members of the public using its onboard medical facilities.

The vessel is equipped with specialised departments and facilities, including laboratory services, a dental clinic, gynaecology, ophthalmology, stomatology, surgical theatres and inpatient wards.

Beyond the services to be provided aboard the ship, medical outreach teams are expected to visit the China-Ghana Friendship Hospital and a military camp to conduct consultations, academic exchanges and professional engagements with Ghanaian healthcare personnel.

The seven-day mission is scheduled to end on Friday, October 30, 2026.

The opening ceremony brought together representatives from the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and other institutions, alongside the visiting Chinese naval delegation.