DAR ES SALAAM: THE weather in the beautiful city of Dar es Salaam was friendly as a gaggle of journalists slowly queued to join a team of Tanzania military personnel to welcome the Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark at Dar Port on Tuesday.
For many, they did not want to miss this once in a lifetime occasion of seeing the mobile medical big ship docking in Tanzania for the third time, purely to show China’s solidarity to the East African nation in many fields.
From a distance, one could hear a loud and strong horn sound as the vessel was approaching its intended destination.
At this stage, the floor at the awaiting area was coloured with traditional dances as part of providing a warm welcome to the visitors.
Indeed, when it comes to perfect reception of guests, Tanzanians are simply the best no wonder the Chinese residing in the country, who have also become part and parcel of the citizens find it easy to live and work with no any element of vexation.
At exactly 9:41 am, the massive ship was finally anchored at the Dar es Salaam Port with its medical practitioners onboard continuously waving to show that they were ready to help Tanzanians.
For the military personnel, they simply stood still while the brass band section was doing their usual stuff to add taste to the already exciting moment.
Within a distance of a stone’s throw, a large military helicopter was standby for any emergency services, another expression that the operation was fully rehearsed and professionally laid down.
After adhering to several protocols, finally, the guests stepped on the Tanzania soil and were warmly welcomed by high ranking Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) and military officers from China, who have been serving in the country.
In his welcoming remarks, the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Mr Albert Chalamila, who graced the reception ceremony urged Tanzanians to turn out in numbers to access the free medical services provided jointly by doctors from China and their Tanzanian counterparts.
While in the country, about 4000 people are expected to benefit from the free medical services that will also include performing thousands of surgeries aimed at improving the lives of the citizens.
“Let me take this opportunity to encourage Tanzanians to embrace this golden chance of receiving expatriate free medical services from well qualified doctors.
“The services will begin to be provided from July 18th to 23rd this year and around 600 people will be attended to on daily basis, 300 people in the morning and another 300 people in the afternoon,” Mr Chalamila said.
He added that the arrival of the ship also signifies cordial relationship that exists between Tanzania and China, adding that it will cover many areas for the benefit of the two nations.
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According to him, the ship has seven theaters, enough Intensive Care Units (ICUs), not forgetting an emergency helicopter ready to transport patients who demand extra attention.
On her part, Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian disclosed that this marks the third visit of the mobile medical ship in the country, noting that Tanzania is the first nation to be visited by the ship three times.
“This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries and this visit is an important part of the celebrations.
“This ship is here for friendship purposes because Tanzania and China are brothers and sisters for a long time and the two nations support each other in many ways,” she said.
She added: “There are various engagements to be carried out like medical check-ups, medical services, courtesy calls, bilateral meetings, field visits, friendly sports games, cultural exchanges and many others.
“Tanzanian doctors and nurses will also join their Chinese counterparts onboard to provide medical services together…I am confident that this visit will bring the two countries more close.”
Similarly, Chief of Medical Service at the Tanzania People’s Defense Force (TPDF) Major General Amri Mwami said the medical services to be provided will be of the tremendous important to Tanzanians.
“This is a timely support as we celebrate 60 years of the inception of TPDF which was set up on September 1st, 1964…on the other hand, it is 60 years since our two forces started to mutually collaborate in various areas.
“Aside of provision of free health services, they will also have time to visit two orphanage centers in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam,” he said.
In the same token, Rear Admiral Mission Commander Ying Hongbo said: “Today I feel the affection of Chinese people, the Peace Ark Medical Ship had visited Tanzania again after seven years…the passionate reception from all sectors of Tanzania and overseas Chinese has made us feel intimate and warm.
“At this moment, on behalf of my partners at Rear Admiral, I extend our utmost respect to all of you and heartfelt gratitude for the care, support and assistance provided by friends from all sectors for our visit.
“The visit of the Peace Ark to Tanzania is a specific practice implementing the vision of comprehensive strategic and partnership achieved by the heads of our two countries and also a way of building a strong relationship between China and Africa.”
