Chinese medical ship a lifeline, says Fray
WRHA clinical coorinator says Melissa elective cases backlog severe
Published:Friday | December 5, 2025 | 12:08 AMJanet Silvera/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Western Jamaica’s health sector has received a critical boost with the arrival of China’s Navy hospital ship Ark Silk Road, which began a three-day medical mission in Montego Bay, St James, on Thursday before it heads to Falmouth next week.
The intervention comes as the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) continues to operate under immense pressure following Hurricane Melissa’s devastation.
With elective surgeries suspended and diagnostics delayed for weeks, the additional capacity provided by the floating hospital could not be more timely, said Dr Delroy Fray, clinical coordinator for the Western Regional Health Authority.
“After Melissa, this is a blessing for the people of western Jamaica,” Fray said following a tour of the vessel on Thursday.
He described the ship as “a first-class modern hospital with everything”, equipped to temporarily ease the load on CRH.
Since the hurricane struck, CRH has offered emergency services only, pushing back cataract and hernia surgeries, CT scans, ultrasounds, and routine blood tests.
“Currently, all we are doing is emergency service,” Fray said. “Elective surgeries are going to be pushed back even more, and we were working assiduously to get them going again when Melissa hit.”
The Ark Silk Road’s capacity offers some relief. The ship’s medical team – more than 100 doctors, nurses, and technicians – will perform daily five cataract surgeries, four hernia repairs, 100 CT scans, 40 ultrasounds, and an open slate of blood investigations.
CRH has already identified 20 cataract patients for treatment during the Montego Bay leg.
Jamaican specialists will work alongside their Chinese counterparts to ensure continuity of care.
“No patient will be lost to follow-up,” Fray assured. “All results will go back to the outpatient department.”
Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon said the ship arrives as the western region is still stabilising basic services.
“After a disaster, there are certain things we must get up first: electricity, water, and healthcare, and healthcare has been critical both locally and nationally,” he said.
VITAL INTERVENTION
Vernon added that the intervention is vital as residents seek treatment for both storm-related and long-standing conditions.
“The addition of a floating hospital is important to help serve our locals,” he said. “Our health system has been pressured. This will provide some relief for the three days at least, and here in Montego Bay, we welcome it.”
He also praised the strong working partnership between Jamaica and China, noting the ambassador’s and local Chinese community’s support “going above and beyond” to ensure the ship’s deployment.
Yangsen Li, a leading member of the Chinese community in Montego Bay, said the ship’s medical offerings are far more extensive than many Jamaicans realise.
“This ship is a good ship – a real medical ship,” Li said. “They have the latest machines that can detect anything you want. They have Western medical and Eastern medical, too, like acupuncture.”
He noted that more than 50 patients were expected to be seen on the first afternoon alone, with the team prioritising hospital referrals before opening additional slots to the public.
“They cover everything, even women’s care and delivery,” Li added. “After Melissa, many people are mentally sick, physically sick, and some have diseases for many years but can’t find the right doctor. This is a very good opportunity because you can get a full check – what is happening and what is causing the disease.”
The ship will spend three days in Montego Bay before offering three more days of treatment in Falmouth, Trelawny, giving both parishes a rare chance to clear months of medical backlog.
“It gives you a lift,” Fray said. “A big lift in the care you can provide to patients.”