China and Papua New Guinea hold joint medical aid exercise

Officers from the Chinese Navy hospital ship Ark Peace took part in a joint medical aid exercise with personnel from Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on Tuesday.

Medical teams from China and Papua New Guinea prepare for the drills in Port Moresby, on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. [Photo: thepaper.cn]

About 100 people took part in the exercise that mainly focused on the treatment of wounds and on helicopter transport. More than 40 representatives from seven departments of Papua New Guinea's government took part.

The exercise was a good way to boost medical response capabilities in Papua New Guinea, according to Luo Dapeng, the World Health Organization representative to Papua New Guinea.

Members of a medical team treat patients during joint medical exercises involving personnel from China and Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. [Photo: thepaper.cn]

"I benefited a lot from taking part in the medical and communication exercises," said Mano Mao, a doctor from Papua New Guinea. Mano Mao said he was impressed with the performance of the officers from the Ark Peace, and hopes that there will be more opportunities for medical cooperation.

Medical team members from China and Papua New Guinea transport a patient on the deck of Chinese Navy hospital ship Ark Peace in Port Moresby, July 17, 2018. [Photo: thepaper.cn]

Pascoe Kases, chief secretary of the Ministry of Health in Papua New Guinea, said that the recent exercise was the second time that Ark Peace has visited the country. He said that he is grateful for the participation of China's government and navy in the exercise, and hopes that there will be an opportunity for the Ark Peace to return to the country.