A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship recently completed its first medical mission after its medical crew treated thousands of officers and soldiers stationed on 13 Xisha and Nansha islands and reefs in the South China Sea.

Named Youhao, which means "friendship" in English, the hospital ship returned to Zhanjiang Port in south China's Guangdong Province after completing an 18-day voyage covering 4,000 nautical miles.

The 40-member medical team, comprising experts from the First Naval Hospital of the Southern Theater Command, provided medical services to more than 5,000 people and carried out more than 60 surgeries during the mission.

"The arrival of the hospital ship not only helped to fix my foot pain but also gave me a full physical examination. So I no longer need to worry about my health. It did a great and significant favor for officers and soldiers stationed on the islands and reefs," said Liang Guodong, a serviceman, thanking the medical workers. 

The team overcame the discomfort of seasickness and heat, working from morning to night to provide health checkups and psychological consultations to military personnel in need.

"Through this medical tour, I witnessed the hardships experienced by the officers and soldiers stationed on the islands and reefs and their expectations for medical services from us. It strengthens our determination to serve their health needs," said Wang Li, a nurse from the First Naval Hospital of the Southern Theater.

The doctors also used health information gathered from the health checkups to analyze the common diseases found among military personnel stationed there to provide better health services. The ship will continue to carry out routine medical consultations for residents, military personnel, fishermen and merchant ships in the South China Sea. 

(Cover: A Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship during its first medical mission in the South China Sea. /China Media Group)