The Global Mercy™ Returns To Sierra Leone To Deliver Even More Free Surgeries and Expand Training for Healthcare Professionals

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Freetown, SIERRA LEONE - August 13, 2025: The Global Mercy™, the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, docked once again in Freetown marking the start of its third consecutive field service in Sierra Leone. Operated by the international NGO Mercy Ships, the vessel’s return deepens its partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone to strengthen the country’s healthcare system and expand access to safe, free surgeries.

Inauguration of New Dental Clinic and Groundbreaking of Dental Training Center at Cheikh Anta Diop University

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A landmark moment for dental education and access to oral healthcare in Senegal was celebrated this weekend at the Department of Dentistry of Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) in Dakar. Mercy Ships (www.Mercyships.org), in partnership with the Institute of Odontology and Stomatology (IOS), the Ministry of Health and Social Action, and other key stakeholders, inaugurated a brand-new dental clinic and officially laid the foundation stone for a new dental training center, two major projects aimed at transforming dental training and care in Senegal.

Love Heals what shame tried to hide

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A young boy receives life-changing surgery from charity repairing cleft lips and restoring dignity for patients often stigmatized.

From Ship to Shore: Mercy Ships’ Education, Training, and Advocacy Programs in Sierra Leone

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In Sierra Leone, beyond our ship, there’s another side to the story in our Education, Training, and Advocacy (ETA) department. A team of passionate professionals are working hard to build something lasting, long after the Global Mercy departs the port of Freetown.

‘A Dream Realized’: Mercy Ships Supports First-Of-Its-Kind African Dental Education Symposium

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CASABLANCA, Morocco, July 11, 2025 — What began as a dream two years ago has now become a reality in Casablanca, Morocco. On July 11 and 12, 2025, representatives from 24 nations across the continent gathered at Université Mohammed VI des Sciences de la Santé (UM6SS) for the inaugural African Dental Education Symposium, which culminated in the creation of the groundbreaking African Education Dental Association (AEDA).

World Health Day: How Mercy Ships is Empowering Local Surgeons to Create a Healthier Future

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This year’s World Health Day theme, Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures, highlights the urgent need to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths. Around 300,000 women die due to pregnancy and childbirth complications each year, while millions of babies are stillborn and two million die within their first month of life. The crisis is most severe in low-income countries, where access to safe surgery is often out of reach due to financial and systemic barriers.

Young Girl Receives Life-Changing Surgery from Charity Restoring Movement After Severe Burns

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TOAMASINA, MADAGASCAR APRIL 2, 2025: A nine-year-old girl can now reach for the stars after life-changing surgery from international charity Mercy Ships restored movement to her arms, years after severe burns at age two left them fused in place.

Sierra Leonean Physiotherapists Board the Global Mercy™ for Skills Enhancement

In a landmark moment for Sierra Leone’s healthcare system, the country’s first-ever cohort of physiotherapy graduates earned their Bachelor of Science (B.S) degrees in 2023. This achievement marked a significant step in addressing the critical shortage of rehabilitation professionals.

Health System for Safe Surgical Care in Africa To Be Enhanced Through Partnership Between the African Union Development Agency and Mercy Ships

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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – During the 2024 World Policy Conference in Abu Dhabi in December, the African Union Development Agency–New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) and Mercy Ships announced a transformative partnership aimed at improving surgical care across Africa.

Transforming Dental Training: From Guinea into the Continent of Africa

Just days away from the opening of a new training facility at Guinea’s only dental school on September 25th that will more than double its capacity, Dr. David Ugai reflects on the transformative journey he and the Université Gamal Abdel Nasser of Conakry have embarked upon together, and the power of collaboration 
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Rue Thann, Immeuble Sea View,

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Africa Service Center (ASC)

Rue Thann, Immeuble Sea View,

Appartement 3ème étage à droite,

Dakar, SENEGAL

Tel: +221782967104 /776447017

africa@mercyships.org

© 2025 – Mercy Ships

Terms and conditions

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