The story began almost three years ago, on November 12, 2010.
Anwar Hossain, a staff of Bangladesh Marine Fisheries Academy, was restlessly waiting in front of the emergency department of the navy hospital in Chittagong. Doctors had told him that his pregnant wife Jannatul Ferdous, who was in her third trimester, was in a very critical condition. Jannatul was suffering from various medical problems like hypertension and heart disease.
Yet, the story is not entirely about the couple.
From the navy hospital, Anwar came to know about “Peace Ark”, a hospital ship of Chinese People’s Liberation Army, which at the time was anchored in Chittagong. He immediately rushed to the ship.
Oihi Alifa Chin was born that day in navy hospital after a c-section surgery performed by a four-member Chinese medical team from the ship. Both, the mother and child, later returned home safe and sound.
Yesterday was the emotional reunion between the Peace Ark and the grateful family. The ship doing its miracle all over the globe came again to Bangladesh on August 19.
Rear Admiral Guan Bo Lin, head of the ship’s medical staff, became very emotional seeing Chin. He immediately took her on his lap.
“I held her hand three years ago,” said the rear admiral, adding, “How can I forget Chin’s birthday as my daughter too was born on this day.”
He described Chin as a symbol of friendship between China and Bangladesh.
Lin gave Chin a staffed Chinese panda and a birthday card on their second meet. She was also given a free medical check-up.
Her mother Jannatul said they picked the name “Chin” for their first born out of gratitude to the Chinese doctors. The word Chin means China in Bangla.
Giving free treatment to the poor, Peace Ark will leave Bangladesh on August 25.
-With The Daily Star input
