Hospital ship to begin service in Africa in 2021

A state-of-the-art hospital ship, fully-equipped with six surgical operating rooms, has been unveiled by international humanitarian non-profit organisation, Mercy Ships.

The Global Mercy, which aims to increase access to safe, quality surgical care, is scheduled to begin service in Africa in 2021.

“As Covid-19 threatens the stability of already fragile healthcare systems globally, the need to provide accessible, life-saving surgical care is greater than ever,” said President for Mercy Ships, Rosa Whitaker.

“The Global Mercy represents a unique call to support the strengthening of healthcare systems in Africa on behalf of the most vulnerable.”

This ship joins The Africa Mercy, which has been in service on the continent since 2007.

“Between 1990 and 2020, Mercy Ships has performed more than 100 000 free surgical procedures, trained more than 40 000 medical professionals, renovated more than 100 health facilities, and implemented more than 1 000 community projects in Africa.

“The Global Mercy will more than double the impact of Mercy Ships on the African continent,” said Whitaker.

Since 1990, Mercy Ships has conducted more than 30 humanitarian missions in 14 African countries (Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Congo, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Madagascar, Sierra Leone, Senegal, South Africa and Togo).