The public is reminded that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Hospital Ship, “Silk Road Ark”, will open to the public from Sunday, December 21.

All of the services offered are free and no appointments are needed to access a range of medical and surgical procedures.

Additionally, a free shuttle service will be provided to transport members of the public from the car park at Massy, Kensington Mall, Fontabelle, St. Michael, to the ship and back.

However, for port security measures, persons’ names and ID numbers will be taken before boarding the shuttle; therefore, they must walk with their national ID cards.

The public is reminded that the hospital ship will be accepting patients for medical services on Sunday, December 21; Monday, December 22; Tuesday, December 23; and Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day). The ship will be closed to the public on Wednesday, December 24, and Friday, December 26.

Operating hours on the ship’s open days are 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Persons may walk with a referral letter from their doctor.

All physicians, nurses and pharmacists working on the Silk Road Ark will be registered with the respective councils in Barbados. Additionally, in an effort to control infectious disease transmission, patients with temperatures exceeding 37.5°C, tuberculosis, or those with critical conditions indicating infectious disease risks, will not be allowed on board.

Author: Melissa Rollock

Published; December 19, 2025