Since Monday, members of the public have been lining up to receive medical care from army medics aboard a floating hospital in Cape Town. Despite harsh winter weather conditions, including snow on Table Mountain and strong winds, residents have been enthusiastic about the free healthcare services being offered on a Chinese ship docked in the city’s harbor.
Due to a financial crisis in South Africa, public services are underfunded, leading many people to struggle with affording private healthcare due to soaring prices. The arrival of China’s Peace Ark has provided relief to over 2,000 South Africans who have received various medical treatments on board.
This initiative showcases the strong political partnership between China and South Africa, highlighting Beijing’s use of soft power. The ship, equipped with medical facilities and staff, has been able to treat patients efficiently, offering services to vulnerable populations such as the homeless and elderly living in care homes.
Despite the success of the Peace Ark’s operations, it also reflects the shortcomings of South Africa’s public health system, which is struggling to meet the healthcare needs of its population. The popularity of the Peace Ark underscores the challenges faced by the country’s healthcare sector, with many people experiencing long waiting times and limited access to essential medical services.
As South Africa works towards implementing a National Health Insurance scheme, there are concerns about the potential impact on healthcare professionals and private health companies. Critics fear that the proposed changes could lead to an exodus of skilled professionals and disrupt the current healthcare landscape.
Overall, the presence of the Peace Ark in Cape Town has provided much-needed relief to residents, highlighting the importance of accessible and affordable healthcare services in South Africa. AFP Ya ha visitado las Seychelles, Tanzania, Madagascar y Mozambique, en esta su décima excursión desde que fue comisionada en 2008.
La iniciativa se ve como un paso más en los esfuerzos de China por aumentar su influencia en el continente africano.
En las últimas dos décadas, su comercio con África ha crecido constantemente, mientras que Beijing también ha estado cada vez más involucrado en el sector de la construcción, incluida la construcción de grandes estadios deportivos en varias partes del continente.
Más historias de la BBC sobre Sudáfrica:
Imágenes de Getty/BBC”