KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton says the country is set to receive a boost in healthcare in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa with the arrival of the Chinese naval hospital ship, Silk Road Ark, with some 104 medical professionals onboard.

Tufton, who gave the update during a press conference on Thursday, said the hospital ship arrived in Jamaica’s territorial waters on November 22 and is now anchored at the Pedro Keys.

“It will relocate to the Falmouth Pier this weekend; a total of 104 medical professionals are on board, including 60 doctors, 32 nurses, pharmacists, and technicians,” Tufton said.

The health minister said the arrival of the medical professionals will be a big boost to the capacity of health care provision.

“I want to just recognise and thank the Chinese government for their support, and in this instance, a medical floating vessel with the personnel and equipment. The Office of the Chief Medical Officer is working with them and the team on the ground to find the best and most efficient approach to treating patients, or certainly any other type of clinical support or otherwise logistic support that may be necessary as we seek to build back our facilities,” Dr Tufton said.

Several countries, such as the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Spain, and Israel, have also sent medical missions to Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.