Silk Road Ark Arrives in Barbados

Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George is urging Barbadians to take advantage of medical services being offered aboard the Chinese naval hospital ship Silk Road Ark, currently docked at the Bridgetown Port.

Dr George made the appeal while speaking to the media following a guided tour of the vessel on Saturday morning. The tour, held just before 11 a.m., included officials from the Ministry of Health and members of the Barbados Defence Force.

While describing the visit as a valuable opportunity, the CMO cautioned that members of the public should expect some logistical challenges.

“We have encouraged the Barbadian public to use the opportunity. There will be some logistical issues because individuals can’t come directly into the port,” Dr George explained. “Arrangements are being made for persons to come to Kensington Mall, with shuttle transportation provided.”

He also noted that appointments are not being issued.

“Unfortunately, there are no appointments being given, so I know there are going to be some scheduling issues, but the ship didn’t allow us to give appointments,” he said.

Despite this, Dr George stressed that the ship’s visit goes beyond healthcare delivery.

“I think the mission is more than delivery of healthcare. It certainly signals the closing of ties between Barbados and China,” he said, adding that China has offered Barbados an eighth medical team, expected to arrive on island shortly.

He highlighted the long-standing medical cooperation between both countries, particularly at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).

“They provide healthcare services within the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, especially for services not readily available to us,” he said. “They were also very helpful during COVID, including with vaccines.”

Dr George also pointed to Barbados’ contribution to regional medical support, referencing the Barbados Defence Force’s Helping Hands mission to Jamaica.

“We don’t have as many resources as China, but Barbados also contributes,” he said, noting that nurses, doctors, pharmacists and environmental health officers were deployed.

The Silk Road Ark is staffed by about 60 medical professionals and is equipped with diagnostic services, CT scans, ultrasounds and surgical facilities. Dr George said the Ministry has encouraged the QEH to identify ambulatory cases that could benefit from the ship’s services.

“We hope that at least a few people will get some interventions,” he said.