Entries by globalbranding

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A New Gift: Hope for Emmanuel

Manteneh was a nearly defeated woman when she brought her 3-year-old son, Emmanuel, to Mercy Ships in January. She told doctors on the Global Mercy™ that several local hospitals in Freetown simply did not know what they could do to treat Emmanuel’s rare disorder, lymphangioma, so they turned her away. For Manteneh, Mercy Ships was their last chance.

She explained how this all began. Shortly after her son was born, she noticed a white-colored swelling around his ear. Unsure of what to do, she compressed the area with warm water, but things began to worsen.

December 4, 2024 /0 Comments/by
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Mercy Ships Introduces Sterile Processing Training for Healthcare Workers in Freetown, Sierra Leone

Mercy Ships’ Education, Training, and Advocacy (ETA) department is supporting a new program aimed at reducing surgical infection rates at Connaught Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone. As a component of its Safer Surgery program, 20 nurses are attending a two-week, hands-on training about sterilization processes.

Mercy Ships has partnered with the Sterile Processing Education Charitable Trust (SPECT) to administer the training. SPECT is a nonprofit organization founded in 2013 to address a critical gap in healthcare: the lack of effective sterile processing education and training in resource-constrained settings.

November 29, 2024 /0 Comments/by
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“Real Sacrificial Heart”: The Story of a Hospital Director

It’s been almost two decades since Merryl Mackenzie, now 65 years old, began her journey with Mercy Ships. In 2007, Merryl left her home in Australia and came to Ghana, West Africa – arriving on New Year’s Eve to serve as an operating room nurse on the Anastasis, just before it was retired. She worked alongside volunteer surgeon, Dr. Gary Parker, doing maxillofacial surgeries. Having taken a temporary leave of absence from the hospital where she worked, the mother of three stayed aboard the ship for three weeks in pursuit of a childhood dream.

November 14, 2024 /0 Comments/by
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Six Years to a New Life: Fudia’s Transformation Story

By the age of 10 years old, Fudia had grown accustomed to the daily struggles of walking with severe bowed legs, including the curious looks from people and the ridicule of children in her community.

According to Joseph, Fudia’s uncle and guardian, she was born with the orthopedic condition. “We noticed it the very first day she was born; her legs were not normal,” he shared. In their hometown in Sierra Leone, it is believed that continuous massaging of the legs with warm water will straighten out the legs, but despite this care, Fudia’s legs only became more bowed as she grew.

November 5, 2024 /0 Comments/by
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A Lifeline for Surgical Care in Africa: Collaboration Is Key 

Last month, 40 African Health Ministers signed important agreements at the Pan-African Surgical Healthcare Forum (PASHeF) in Rwanda. These agreements are a big step towards making surgical care accessible to more people across Africa. In the near future, the goal is to have these formally adopted by the African Union (UA). This journey is one that Mercy Ships, the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), the Rwanda Ministry of Health, and Smile Train walked together – to support and host this recent PASHeF meeting.
Dr. Walt Johnson shares his thoughts on why these efforts are so important and why collaboration is vital for saving lives.  

October 31, 2024 /0 Comments/by

Empowering Sierra Leone’s Healthcare with Nurse Anaesthesia Diploma Programme

In a groundbreaking partnership to address the critical shortage of anesthesia providers in the country Mercy Ships, Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health, and the University of Sierra Leone have launched a Nurse Anesthesia Diploma Programme. This initiative aims to improve surgical care capacity by training specialized nurse anesthetists, ensuring lasting healthcare improvements even after Mercy Ships the port of Freetown. 

October 15, 2024 /0 Comments/by

Mercy Ships and West African College of Surgeons Collaborate to Elevate Surgical and Anesthesia Training in Africa

In a landmark collaboration, the West African College of Surgeons (WACS) has granted an accreditation to Mercy Ships’ surgical and anaesthesia training programmes. This partnership reflects the shared commitment of both organisations towards advancing medical education in the region, offering medical trainees unparalleled opportunities to gain specialised qualifications through their experience aboard the international charity’s hospital vessels.

October 11, 2024 /0 Comments/by
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How Matron Betsy Deen is Transforming Healthcare at Freetown’s Largest Hospital

Running a hospital isn’t an easy task — it takes leaders carefully orchestrating a sea of moving parts to keep operations running smoothly. Matron Betsy Deen is that person at Connaught Hospital’s surgical department in Freetown, Sierra Leone. 

During Mercy Ships’ 2023-24 field service in Freetown, several training opportunities were offered through Education, Training, and Advocacy (ETA) programs, which helped strengthen the ties between Mercy Ships and Sierra Leone’s healthcare network. 

October 8, 2024 /0 Comments/by
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Appartement 3ème étage à droite,

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Tel: +221782967104 /776447017

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© 2024 – Mercy Ships

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Contact Us
News
Press
Videos

Africa Service Center (ASC)

Rue Thann, Immeuble Sea View,

Appartement 3ème étage à droite,

Dakar, SENEGAL

Africa Service Center (ASC)

Rue Thann, Immeuble Sea View,

Appartement 3ème étage à droite,

Dakar, SENEGAL

Tel: +221782967104 /776447017
africa@mercyships.org

© 2023 – Mercy Ships

Terms and conditions