NOUAKCHOTT, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Years of strenuous labor have left Mauritanian construction worker Sidi Sabar Zayed with recurring back pain that sometimes makes it difficult for him to stand upright.
However, at a free clinic in Nouakchott's Arafat District on Wednesday, Chinese doctor Liu Zikang prescribed pain medication and showed him how to bend and lift without putting extra strain on the back.
"My family depends on me carrying goods. If my back gives out, that's it," Zayed said. "The Chinese doctor didn't just give me something for the pain. He showed me how to protect my back at work. That helps my whole family."
Zayed was among more than 200 locals examined by a medical team from Auspicious Ark, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship. The ship arrived in Mauritania on Tuesday for a seven-day friendly visit, the first stop of the Mission Harmony-2026.
At the Arafat clinic, Chinese ophthalmologist Huang Zhen saw patients with cataracts and glaucoma, and those in need of glasses. The team brought glasses for the visit, but demand was high. Huang hoped to arrange treatment aboard the ship for cataract patients who needed surgery.
The Auspicious Ark has more than 100 medical members from over 20 institutions, along with 18 clinical departments and five auxiliary diagnostic departments. It can perform more than 60 types of surgery.
Over 40 residents were referred to the ship that day for further care, including Kleithim Ely Belkheir.
Pain and stiffness in the middle fingers of both hands made her unable to turn on a tap or cook. Liu diagnosed tenosynovitis and wrote her a referral for further treatment aboard the ship.
"I never expected to see a doctor so close to home and then be able to get further treatment on that 'big white ship' at the port," Belkheir said. "For us, having the Chinese doctors here is as precious as water in the Sahara."
For many patients who spoke only Arabic, communicating their symptoms to the Chinese doctors was a challenge.
Mariam Sidi, a second-year Chinese-language student at the University of Nouakchott, was on hand to bridge the gap. It was her first time volunteering at such an event. She said she wanted to thank the Chinese medical staff. "They work very hard."
During the visit, the ship is providing medical services aboard the vessel, while its crew is going to local medical facilities and Mauritanian military units for consultations, training and professional exchanges.
Mauritania is receiving a Chinese naval hospital ship for the second time.
Fatimatou Abdel Malick, president of the Nouakchott Regional Council, recalled that residents had received consultations and medicines, and some had undergone surgery, during a previous visit by the Chinese hospital ship Peace Ark.
"This is important for our people," she said of the medical services provided during the Auspicious Ark's visit. "We sincerely thank our Chinese friends for their help."
