LOME, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship Auspicious Ark arrived in Lome, the capital of Togo, on Sunday for a friendly visit and to provide medical services. From welcoming new life to offering treatment across multiple medical specialties, a series of medical activities bringing health and friendship has been unfolding aboard the ship.
On Tuesday, the Auspicious Ark welcomed another newborn, the second "Auspicious Baby" born during Mission Harmony-2026. Xu Xiaozhe, an obstetrician and gynecologist who had helped deliver the mission's first "Auspicious Baby" in Mauritania, once again took part in this special moment of new life.
That morning, the hospital ship received an emergency call from a local hospital seeking assistance. A pregnant woman, Kougbo Akoele, was transferred from a local hospital to the naval hospital ship after doctors determined that she required urgent obstetric care.
Upon her arrival, the medical team assessed her condition and that of the fetus before deciding to perform an emergency cesarean section.
After more than an hour of intensive surgery, Akoele safely delivered a healthy baby girl. Upon hearing the news, Akoele's mother was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief, so overwhelmed with emotion that she could hardly speak.
Meanwhile, the fight against illness continued aboard the hospital ship. N'webida Essomanam had undergone surgery for a pterygium in her right eye. In the ward, Ma Ting, head of the ophthalmology department, patiently explained the post-operative precautions to her.
From Mauritania to Togo, Ma and her team have performed nearly 100 eye surgeries.
Lawson Late, a patient in the next bed, was about to be taken to the operating room. Confident in the Chinese doctors, he looked forward to the surgery that he hoped would free him from his eye condition.
Afi Fanho, a second-year student at the Confucius Institute at the University of Lome, had previously suffered from frequent headaches and symptoms including allergies. Aboard the hospital ship, she underwent a series of examinations. Zou Yongxiang, an attending physician in the otolaryngology department, diagnosed her with sinusitis and provided treatment. After her condition improved, Fanho gave the Chinese doctors a thumbs-up.
Li Lujia, director of the medical team aboard the hospital ship for Mission Harmony-2026, said the vessel has 18 clinical departments and five medical support departments and is equipped to perform more than 60 types of surgery. To date, it has provided medical consultations and treatment to more than 40,000 patients.
The 29th Chinese medical team in Togo also joined the hospital ship in providing medical services. Zhang Xiangchen, head of the medical team, said the joint efforts offered a valuable opportunity for the team to exchange expertise and collaborate with high-level medical specialists from China. They also enabled more local patients to access quality Chinese medical services without having to travel abroad.
