Press release

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.

Girl, 14, has life-saving treatment to remove facial tumor and dreams of becoming a doctor

A 14-year-old girl from Sierra Leone is free to follow her dreams of becoming a doctor after having a facial tumor removed by international health charity Mercy Ships.  Without the timely surgery, the tumor would likely have continued to grow to the point of causing airway obstructions, and ultimately, death by suffocation. 

Hospital ship returns to Sierra Leone to deliver life-changing surgeries over the next ten months

Freetown, Sierra Leone – August 15, 2024: The world’s largest civilian hospital ship, the Global Mercy™, was welcomed back to Freetown yesterday in a partnership between international charity Mercy Ships and the Government of Sierra Leone to deliver more than 1,400 life-transforming surgeries and continued training opportunities for Sierra Leonean healthcare workers.

A weight off his back: Farmer, 53, can sleep on his back for the first 15 in years after tumor removal

A father of three can sleep comfortably on his back for the first time in 15 years after having a massive tumor – weighing 11lbs (5kgs) – removed by surgical charity Mercy Ships. Malagasy builder and rice farmer Fidisoa was 38 when what appeared to be a tiny pimple on his back started to grow, first into a lump and then into the size of a fist. It continued to grow until Fidisoa looked as if he carried a backpack underneath his shirt.