An incredible collaboration between Mercy Ships and the Ministry of Health will prolong Global Mercy’s stay in Sierra Leone. In addition to meeting the country’s surgical needs, this signifies a major advancement in surgical education.
The largest and newest hospital ship operated by Mercy Ships, Global MercyTM, has been providing crucial surgical services in line with Sierra Leone’s strategic healthcare plan since it arrived in Freetown in August 2023. In response to President Julius Maada Bio’s invitation, this endeavour demonstrates a strong commitment to enhancing the nation’s healthcare infrastructure and accessibility.
June is when the Global Mercy is expected to return to Tenerife for a quick yearly maintenance stop. Following that, in August, it will make a return trip to Sierra Leone, where it will carry on offering free surgeries in a variety of specialisations. Maxillofacial, general, paediatric, orthopaedic, reconstructive plastic and ophthalmic procedures are among the specialities that guarantee a broad spectrum of healthcare needs are satisfied.
The Ministry of Health and Mercy Ships will collaborate to manage patient registration, which will happen at certain times and locations that will be disclosed in June. The ongoing free registration period demonstrates the dedication to giving everyone in need fair access to surgical care.
Mercy Ships has carried out more than 10,200 surgical procedures in Sierra Leone since 1992, proving its unwavering commitment to providing the country with the healthcare it needs. The extension of Global Mercy’s stay has been welcomed with happiness and gratitude by the government and people of Sierra Leone, highlighting the critical importance of prioritising health issues in a country where there is a severe shortage of surgeons relative to the population.
About Mercy Ships: Mercy Ships is a global faith-based organisation that runs hospital ships that provide free medical services and surgeries to people who have limited access to quality healthcare.
Mercy Ships has concentrated on collaborating with African countries to deliver critical healthcare services for the previous thirty years.
Mercy Ships works closely with local partners to provide medical care, train healthcare workers in the area, and assist in the construction of medical infrastructure that will have a lasting impact on healthcare systems.
Every year, more than 3,000 volunteer professionals from more than 60 countries board the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy, the two largest non-governmental hospital ships in the world. Surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, engineers, cooks, and other committed healthcare workers donate their time and knowledge to increase access to safe surgical, obstetric, and anaesthetic care.
With offices across 16 nations and an Africa Service Centre located in Dakar, Senegal, Mercy Ships was established in 1978. Visit mercyships.org and follow @MercyShips on social media for additional information.
