MEDIA ADVISORY

His Excellency, President Macky Sall to Welcome Heads of State to Dakar to accelerate access to safe surgical, obstetric and anesthetic care in Africa by 2030

Invited delegations set to approve a Dakar Declaration to expedite improvements in surgical care for their nations as part of inaugural ceremonies on board the world’s largest civilian purpose-built hospital ship, Global Mercy

 

On May 30 H.E. President of Senegal Macky Sall, will host 12 invited heads of state and respective ministers of health to meet and declare their commitment to advance their own national plans for access to surgical, obstetric and anaesthetic care. This Presidential Conversation leading to the approval of a Dakar Declaration, further builds on the foundations formed a few weeks ago at the International Symposium on access to surgical, obstetric and anaesthetic care, a gathering of 29 African nations held in Dakar.

Festivities will highlight recent efforts and collaboration around the goal of increased provision of safe surgical, obstetric and anesthetic care in Africa by 2030. H.E. President of Senegal Macky Sall will also inaugurate the Global Mercy into service to Africa.  During the week Mercy Ships will commemorate 30 years of partnership with Africa in this season.

WHO :

His Excellency Mr. Macky Sall: President of Senegal, accompanied by twelve (12) Heads of State and their respective Ministers of Health from Benin, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Madagascar, Sierra Leone and Togo.

Gert van de Weerdhof: CEO of Mercy Ships

Don Stephens: Founder of Mercy Ships

Dr. Pierre M’Pele: Director, Mercy Ships Africa Bureau

WHAT :

27 May (PM) – The Global Mercy will dock near the Africa Mercy® in the Port of Dakar

30 May –   Inaugural Ceremonies

  • Welcome and Ribbon Cutting
  • Presidential Conversation on board the Global Mercy with Heads of State from countries Mercy Ships has visited
  • Inauguration Ceremony to mark the Global Mercy beginning service in Africa

Photo opportunities:

  • Arrival of the Global Mercy on afternoon of the 27th May
  • Ribbon Cutting/ Welcome Head of States
  • Presidential Conversation and approval of the Dakar Declaration
  • Unveiling of the plaque
  • Inauguration ceremonies on dock
  • Press Point with H.E. President Macky Sall and others
  • Selected media visits on board the Global Mercy can be prearranged with written request.

WHERE : Port Autonome de Dakar – 21, Bd de la Libération, Dakar, Sénégal

Requirements:

Negative COVID test- Possibility to do the COVID test at the Pullman Hotel at 8h.

Media Registration in advance:

Online:

EN – https://apo-opa.com/ms-en-online/

FR – https://apo-opa.com/ms-fr-online/

On the ground:

EN – https://apo-opa.com/ms-en-onsite/

FR – https://apo-opa.com/ms-fr-onsite/

Events will also be livestreamed for the general public who cannot attend in person:

Africa Celebration – New Registration (eventscloud.com)

WHEN:

May 30, 2022, 9h30– 13h the Global Mercy

LANGUAGES : French and English

About Mercy Ships :

Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free healthcare services, capacity building, and sustainable development to those with limited access in the developing world. For more than 30 years, Mercy Ships has concentrated its efforts in Africa. In particular, Mercy Ships has focused efforts within West and sub-Saharan Africa where 93% of the population are still in need of access to safe surgical care. The Global Mercy is the world’s largest civilian hospital ship.  The Africa Mercy has been in service in Senegal since February 2022.

For interviews and press requests please contact :

yasmina.bileoma@apo-opa.com  – APO (Afrique)

Sandrine.Gamaury@mercyships.org  – Mercy Ships (International)