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Mercy Ships and Africa

Since 1990, Mercy Ships has been partnering with and serving nations in Africa. This has led to lasting partnerships and impact for over 30 years. Before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic Mercy Ships has and will continue to provide direct medical services; education, training, and advocacy; and health systems relationship development.

Mercy Ships and Africa

Since 1990, Mercy Ships has been partnering with and serving nations in Africa. This has led to lasting partnerships and impact for over 30 years. Before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic Mercy Ships has and will continue to provide direct medical services; education, training, and advocacy; and health systems relationship development.

8,000+

Professionals trained

100,000+

Surgical procedures

30+

Years in Africa

2021 finds Mercy Ships working on the ground throughout Africa to provide life transforming training and treatment. These opportunities include Medical Capacity Building training and mentoring, infrastructure projects, Partnership Unit Mentoring Program (PUMP), and equipment donations and investment projects across the continent. We are also providing multi-country eLearning opportunities and direct patient care designed to support and strengthen healthcare systems in the nations we serve.

This year, we have also donated more than $1 million worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies to 11 African nations to support the fight against COVID-19.

Senegal

Mercy Ships will train participants in sustainable agriculture practices through our nutritional agriculture project, as well as running various MCB and infrastructure projects and continuing to support projects through funding donations. We are also planning to partner with the Ministry of Health and local hospitals to provide surgeries locally to patients who have been awaiting care.

Guinea

Mercy Ships projects in Guinea include ongoing investments and training at the Gamal University dental clinic and maxillofacial surgery training center, as well as surgical and biomedical training, infrastructure, and equipment donation projects.

Liberia

Mercy Ships projects in Liberia include biomedical technician, anesthesia equipment, and leadership training, as well as partnering with Lifebox to implement the Clean Cut quality improvement programs. Several Mercy Ships volunteers will visit to provide ear, nose, and throat surgeries and mentoring in surgery, anesthesia, and nursing. In addition, targeted donations are being made in this nation.

South Africa

Mercy Ships will lead SAFE Courses as well as various mental health and vocational training workshops.

Togo

Mercy Ships is providing a Mental Health training program as well as supporting a new cataract surgery training institute in Togo through trainee funds, equipment, and guidance.

Benin

Mercy Ships projects in Benin include an Essential Surgical Skills and Essential Pain Management course, as well as a Food for Life training course and center.

Niger

Through a partnership with CURE International, Mercy Ships volunteer Dr. Tertius Venter provided surgical care and training at the CURE Hospital in Niger.

Uganda

Through a partnership with CURE International, Mercy Ships volunteer Dr. Sarah Kwok provided anesthesia care and training at the CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda.

Madagascar and Sierra Leone

Mercy Ships is partnering with Freedom From Fistula in Madagascar and Sierra Leone to fund surgical care, education, and empowerment for women suffering from an obstetric fistula.

Benin’s First Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon

In West Africa, it’s rare that medical professionals have the opportunity to gain advanced training, practice on the newest technology, and liaise with experts in their field – it’s one reason so many doctors leave for Europe, Australia, or the States. “It’s not that it’s hard to keep your skills updated here,” comments Amy Jones, Project Manager for the Mercy Ships Medical Capacity Building (MCB) Team, “It’s impossible.”

But for Benin’s first reconstructive plastic surgeon, Dr. Odry Agbessi, staying in Benin is a must – surgeons may leave, but patients cannot. Though faced with numerous obstacles, Dr. Odry’s dedication to helping her people pushes her onward.

Read More

Partnership for Health

Partnership for Health

As well as delivering direct medical interventions on the ground in Benin, Mercy Ships worked hard to equip local medical staff with the knowledge and facilities needed to continue the work after the Africa Mercy left Cotonou.

Mercy Ships met that goal by providing:

  • High-quality and internationally recognized medical training programs and one-on-one mentoring opportunities
  • Support and feedback for the government on programs such as the World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist
  • Data collection for use in research and impact evaluation

  • Mentoring

    88 local professionals participated in our mentoring programs.

  • Training

    1,874 people participated in our various courses to further their skills in their area of expertise.

  • Lasting Impact

    Mercy Ships has developed practical and relevant capacity-building projects that demonstrate and impart knowledge, skills, and a compassionate, professional attitude to each participant.

Who We Are

Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships is a global faith-based charity that uses hospital ships and volunteer professionals to deliver free specialized surgical care and medical training to build the local healthcare systems with our host nations, focusing in Africa.

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Medical Training

Mercy Ships offers free training designed to empower healthcare workers and strengthen local healthcare systems. Instruction is specific to the unique needs of our host nation and planned in collaboration with the National Ministry of Health.

Learn More

How We Help

Mercy Ships comes alongside our host nation with volunteer professionals to address the immediate surgical needs of a nation, simultaneously training local healthcare workers, and collaboratively building healthcare infrastructure. This approach empowers our host’s sustainable progress and continued development.

Learn More

Who We Are

Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships is a global faith-based charity that uses hospital ships and volunteer professionals to deliver free specialized surgical care and medical training to build the local healthcare systems with our host nations, focusing in Africa.

Learn More

Medical Training

Mercy Ships offers free training designed to empower healthcare workers and strengthen local healthcare systems. Instruction is specific to the unique needs of our host nation and planned in collaboration with the National Ministry of Health.

Learn More

How We Help

Mercy Ships comes alongside our host nation with volunteer professionals to address the immediate surgical needs of a nation, simultaneously training local healthcare workers, and collaboratively building healthcare infrastructure. This approach empowers our host’s sustainable progress and continued development.

Learn More

Ask Us Anything

We are excited to share our story with you. We believe that a successful collaboration is based on mutual trust. By being transparent with local media and organizations and inviting them to learn more about our mission, we hope to build strong partnerships that will help us achieve our goals.

For this purpose, we have selected for you the most important facts and figures about Mercy Ships.

If you have any questions, please contact us using this form. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Download our Press Pack

 Get in Touch

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Please be aware, we’re not taking any referrals through this form. Referrals through messages or email will not be received. Any other message we will try to respond to ASAP.

Ask Us Anything

We are excited to share our story with you. We believe that a successful collaboration is based on mutual trust. By being transparent with local media and organizations and inviting them to learn more about our mission, we hope to build strong partnerships that will help us achieve our goals.

For this purpose, we have selected for you the most important facts and figures about Mercy Ships.

If you have any questions, please contact us using this form. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Download our Press Pack

 Get in Touch

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Please be aware, we’re not taking any referrals through this form. Referrals through messages or email will not be received. Any other message we will try to respond to ASAP.

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

© 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