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

At Mercy Ships, our mission goes beyond delivering free, safe surgeries to people in places where healthcare is often out of reach. On board the Global Mercy™—the world’s largest civilian hospital ship—volunteer surgeons, nurses, and crew from around the globe come together with one purpose: to bring hope and healing.

But beyond the 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.

During our most recent field service in Sierra Leone, ETA helped run a wide range of education and training programs on land and on board the Global Mercy—collaborating closely with hospitals, mentoring healthcare professionals, and advocating for greater access to safe surgery. Whether it was organizing mentorship and workshops, supporting discussions about healthcare systems, or simply listening to the needs of Sierra Leonean health workers, the ETA team was there.

Some of these important ETA programs include:

PAACS Residencies

In partnership with the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS), the Mercy Ships ETA program supports the development of African surgeons who undertake a five-year residency program that integrates advanced medical education with hands-on experience including placements on board the Global Mercy™. Trainees like Dr. Wilson Toko and Dr. Betelhem Belda benefit from exposure to complex cases, international mentorship, and simulation-based learning. Here, they gain surgical expertise and further develop their confidence and leadership skills to serve their communities. The program aims to foster sustainable, faith-driven healthcare solutions across sub-Saharan Africa by equipping local providers with vital surgical skills and knowledge.

Physiotherapy Training

To strengthen the growing rehabilitation profession in Sierra Leone, ETA brought a total of ten local physiotherapists aboard the Global Mercy™ for practical training with the rehabilitation team. Through immersive, skills-based learning, they advanced their patient care and healthcare management techniques. This initiative enhanced their capabilities and contributed to improving rehabilitation services and long-term patient outcomes in their home country.

Sterile Processing

In collaboration with the Sterile Processing Education Charitable Trust (SPECT), Mercy Ships launched a two-week training initiative for 20 nurses at Connaught Hospital in Freetown. The program focused on essential sterilization practices, including cleaning and storing surgical instruments, and maintaining a sterile operating environment. These are critical steps toward reducing the country’s high rate of surgical-site infections. Participants engaged in intensive hands-on training and are now positioned to share their knowledge within the broader healthcare system, directly addressing significant gaps in infection control.

Infection Prevention

To further combat surgical infections, Mercy Ships is partnering with Lifebox to implement the Clean-Cut Project at Connaught Hospital. This initiative is targeting six core infection prevention practices and emphasizes data collection, teamwork, and strengthening surgical processes. As part of the broader Safer Surgery program, there is an emphasis on strengthening surgical teams. This work will contribute to measurable improvements in patient safety, while laying the groundwork for long-term systemic change.

Nurse Mentorship

Working with the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health, Mercy Ships introduced a nurse mentorship initiative at Connaught Hospital to strengthen post-operative care.  Katie Henderson and Ayla Lopez are the nurse mentors who facilitate the program, which combines classroom instruction with hands-on training in areas such as patient assessment, wound care, infection control, and surgical nursing. Early outcomes show that nurses gain confidence, assume leadership roles, and mentor peers—helping to instill a lasting culture of quality care and continuous learning.

Nurse Anesthesia Diploma

To address Sierra Leone’s shortage of anesthesia providers, Mercy Ships partnered with the Ministry of Health and the University of Sierra Leone to re-launch the Nurse Anesthesia Diploma Program in April 2024. Twenty experienced nurses were selected for a rigorous curriculum combining classroom learning and simulation-based training, both on board the Global Mercy and at the School of Nursing in Freetown as well as clinical skills development in hospital settings. Mercy Ships will support the program for three years, helping build local faculty and ensuring its sustainability. Graduates will be integrated into the national health system, particularly in underserved regions, strengthening the country’s capacity to deliver safe surgical care.

The impact of Mercy Ships’ ETA programs goes far beyond the classroom; they equip local professionals to transform their own healthcare systems from within. You can be a part of this lasting change and help build a healthier future for generations to come. Find out how at mercyships.org/get-involved/.