News

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

Press release

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

Press release

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

Press release

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.

By land, air, and sea: Hospital ship and aviation charities renew partnership to bring life-changing surgery to patients to remote African regions

Press release

TOAMASINA, MADAGASCAR, 8 JULY 2024 – Humanitarian aid organizations Mercy Ships and Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) have renewed their partnership to help bring life-changing surgical care to isolated communities across Africa.

Boy, 12, reunites with hospital ship that transformed his life a decade ago as it returns to provide more surgeries

Press release

A boy who had his legs straightened by a health charity ten years ago has been back onboard the ship that transformed his life as it returned to his home country to offer more free life-changing surgeries. Romino, now 12, was just a toddler when his legs started to bow. His parents saw he was struggling to walk and knew they could not get him the surgery he needed in their home of Madagascar.

Mercy Ships Welcomes Presidential Visit on board, in Toamasina Harbor

Press release

Malagasy president His Excellency Andry Nirina Rajoelina visited patients and volunteers on board Mercy Ships’ hospital vessel to see for himself the lives being transformed.

Mercy Ships and Ministry of Health Announce Next Phase of Life-Changing Surgeries in Sierra Leone

Press release

Freetown, Sierra Leone – June 18, 2024: The Sierra Leonean Ministry of Health, in collaboration with international charity Mercy Ships, have announced preparations for the upcoming phase of free life-changing surgeries and educational initiatives for the people of Sierra Leone set to begin in August.

Life of boy, 5, transformed after charity operates on his severely bowed legs

Press release

A five-year-old soccer fan whose legs started to bow from the age of two can run and play with friends without pain after his life was transformed by a surgical charity. Malang from Senegal had been to multiple hospitals in his home country in search of medical help without success.