The medical staff of a Chinese naval hospital ship, the Peace Ark, attended to 10,000 patients free of charge during its eight-day humanitarian mission in Mozambique, Xinhua reports.

The Chinese state-run news agency says that in 44 cases surgery was performed on board.

The report says that on one of the eight days 1,796 people consulted the medical staff, the most the ship has ever dealt with in one day.

It quotes MozambicanDeputy Minister of National Defence Patrício José as saying the ship’s visit to Mozambique will strengthen the Sino-Mozambican relationship and lead to closer co-operation between the Chinese and Mozambican armed forces.

The Peace Ark has eight operating rooms, 300 beds and a staff of 115 health professionals, Xinhua says.