Press release

In 2024, Mercy Ships delivered life-changing healthcare and training across sub-Saharan Africa, marking significant milestones in its mission to provide free surgical care and build capacity in local healthcare systems. Through its two hospital ships, the Global Mercy™ and the Africa Mercy®, the organization impacted thousands of lives by combining direct medical services with education, training, and advocacy programs by partnering with governments for lasting impact.

Young Man’s Life Transformed After Mercy Ships Removes Life-Threatening Tumor

A young man from Sierra Leone who was forced to leave school due to relentless mockery over a life-threatening facial tumor has had it successfully removed by international charity, Mercy Ships. Alex, now 23, first noticed a swelling on his jaw in 2016 as a teenager. Over the years, the tumor grew significantly, making it difficult for him to eat, speak, and swallow. It left him increasingly isolated and raised fears that it could eventually impair his breathing.

TEMPORARY DEPARTURE OF THE HOSPITAL SHIP AFRICA MERCY

Antananarivo, 10 December 2024 - The Ministry of Public Health wishes to inform the population that the Africa Mercy hospital ship will temporarily leave Madagascar on 13 December 2024 for its annual maintenance, which is essential for the continuation of its humanitarian mission of excellence. The Africa Mercy’s presence in Madagascar is the result of a solid partnership between the Malagasy Government and international organisation Mercy Ships.

Fudia, 10, is standing tall after free life changing surgery from Mercy Ships – gaining 14 Centimeters in height

A ten-year-old girl is standing 14 centimeters taller after receiving free, life-transforming surgery from international charity Mercy Ships to straighten her severely bowed legs.

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. 

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.

On World Sight Day: New Vision and New Life for Mamadou 

The moment a seven-year-old boy sees clearly for the first time has been captured in a video by the charity that gave him surgery.  Surgeons from international charity Mercy Ships believe Mamadou, who lives in Sierra Leone, would have lost his sight entirely if he had not had his bilateral cataracts removed. 

Guinea’s Sole Public Dental School Unveils Expanded Training Facility to Revolutionize Dental Care Across West Africa

CONAKRY, GUINEA 26th September 2024: Guinea’s only public dental school celebrated the grand opening of its state-of-the-art training facility yesterday, which more than doubles capacity for dental students to learn, practice and treat patients while addressing the critical gap in accessing dental care. 

Back to school: Headteacher returns after melon-sized tumor that forced him to quit removed by surgical charity

A headteacher who had to quit his job after a melon-size tumor grew on his face was greeted with open arms as he returned to the classroom after receiving transformational surgery from charity Mercy Ships.  Grandfather Auguste, 64, spent six long years away from his school in Senegal after the tumor forced to him to leave as it expanded from a spot to the large growth over 13 years. 

Police officer first to receive surgery as hospital ship returns to Sierra Leone to deliver life-transforming surgical care and training

FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024: A 32-year-old police officer became the first patient to receive life-transforming surgery on board Mercy Ships’ hospital ship yesterday as the vessel returned to Sierra Leone to deliver a further 1,400-plus surgeries over the next 10 months.
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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