South Africa Welcomes Joint Military Health Exercise with Chinese Naval Peace Ark

Cape Town, South Africa - The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms. Angie Motshekga, has expressed enthusiasm for the collaborative military health exercise slated to take place between the South African National Defence Force Military Health Service (SAMHS) and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Hospital Ship, famously known as the Peace Ark 866. This exercise is scheduled for 22 – 28 August 2024 in the picturesque city of Cape Town.

The Peace Ark, a vessel of healing and diplomacy, will dock in Cape Town's ports to partake in a significant humanitarian relief medical exercise. The initiative aims to render free medical support to the local population while simultaneously enhancing diplomatic and military relations between South Africa and China. Local citizens will have the opportunity to access a range of health services provided by the elite military medical teams from both countries.

In her statement, Minister Motshekga stressed the importance of this exercise for sharing unique military health support expertise. The endeavor will not only bolster the interoperability between the South African and Chinese militaries but will also shape future humanitarian medical relief collaborations.

The event is expected to be a cornerstone for skills transfer and knowledge sharing, offering invaluable insights into joint medical consultations, medical technologies, and a host of other related medical activities. It represents a platform for nurturing growth in military medical professionals from both nations.

The fully equipped Peace Ark brings with its voyage an array of clinical and medical professionals specializing in varied disciplines, including medical screening, oral health, and eye care, among others. The SAMHS, in coordination with the Western Cape Department of Health, anticipates incorporating these services into ongoing health programs that are part of the joint exercise.

This bilateral military health initiative not only promises to uplift the local communities through the provision of medical care but also to strengthen the deepening ties between South Africa and the People’s Republic of China. Both nations view this collaboration as a stepping stone towards a sustained partnership, particularly in the realm of military health diplomacy.