By Li Weixin and Xie Fei
Holding his baby boy in arms, the dad couldn't help grin at his son. (Photo by Liu Wei)
A "peace baby" was delivered aboard the Chinese Navy's hospital ship Peace Ark, which is carrying out the Mission Harmony 2023 in Tarawa, capital of Kiribati, at 9:12 PM, July 16, local time.
Kiribati President Maamau personally named the child "Aken Teraoi", which means "Peace Ark" in the Kiribati language.
This is the first baby delivered by the hospital ship Peace Ark during this mission.
On that day, the hospital ship Peace Ark, together with the 2nd Chinese medical team to Kiribati, went to the community to provide medical services.
Tearei, a 29-year-old resident of Tarawa who was about to give birth, told the doctors that she had been experiencing swelling and pain in her lower abdomen for an entire day. The leader of the medical team suggested that Tearei go to the hospital ship immediately for delivery.
After a thorough examination and review of medical history, Xu Mingjuan, chief physician of the Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, recommended an immediate cesarean section to prevent the risk of uterine rupture. The pregnant woman has moderate anemia, along with hypoproteinemia, hyperlipidemia, and fatty liver. Complications such as hemorrhagic shock may occur during the surgery.
Xu Mingjuan made multiple adjustments to the surgical plan. "Given the existing conditions on the ship, it is necessary to consider all extreme cases including the most unlikely ones," she said.
At 8:30 PM, Tearei was wheeled into the operation room. Forty-two minutes later, the cries of the baby boy, tender and loud, echoed throughout the entire hospital ship via the walkie-talkie.
Tearei kissed her child, and was positively glowing with happiness. "I'm really glad that my child was born on the Peace Ark", said Tearei's husband.
On the afternoon of July 18, Kiribati President Maamau arrived at the hospital ship Peace Ark to visit the inpatients, where he was invited to name the baby boy.
In the midst of many caring eyes, the lovely baby was named after the Chinese hospital ship where he was born. "I hope you can visit China in the future, just like Alifa Chin, a little girl from Bangladesh," said the mission commander of Peace Ark.
The night sky is filled with stars. Little Aken Teraoi nestled in his mother's arms and peacefully drifted off into slumber.