Mercy Ships and Sierra Leone
Mercy Ships’ partnership with Sierra Leone began with the Anastasis in 1992. After some time, Mercy Ships returned for three field services in a row from 2001 to 2004, and another in 2011. Thanks to an invitation from His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio and the government of Sierra Leone, the Global Mercy™ arrived to Freetown in August 2023 for a 10-month field service. Mercy Ships was then invited to stay through June 2026 to continue bringing hope and healing in partnership with the Ministry of Health.
“The hospital ship will serve as a platform for training our healthcare professionals to build capacity. Programs will ensure that the positive impact of Mercy Ships will continue long after the ship leaves the shores of Sierra Leone. This partnership will support our vision to ensure a functional national health system delivering efficient, high-quality healthcare services that are accessible, equitable and affordable for all,” said His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio.
In addition to providing surgeries, Mercy Ships is working closely with national partners to strengthen Sierra Leone’s surgical and anesthetic systems. Sierra Leonean healthcare professionals will receive in-depth training and mentorship across areas like nurse anesthesia, biomedical technology, and ophthalmology. Additionally, local professionals came on board the ship for a variety of training opportunities, including surgical residencies, OR/Ward Nurse mentoring, and Physiotherapist mentoring. The Mercy Ships team works in collaboration with the leadership of Sierra Leone, alongside partners like Connaught Hospital in Freetown, the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons, Freedom From Fistula at the Aberdeen Women’s Center, and the West African College of Surgeons.
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Western Area Urban
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Western Area Rural
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Port Loko
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Kambia
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Karene
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Bombali
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Koinadugu
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Falaba
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Kono
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Kailahun
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Kenema
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Tonkolili
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Bo
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Pujehun
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Bonthe
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Moyamba
“This long-lasting partnership paves the way for Mercy Ships to continue to engage closely with the government of Sierra Leone and to strengthen our joint commitment to improving access to safe surgical care,” said Dr. Sandra Lako, Country Director for Mercy Ships in Sierra Leone.
Mercy Ships is grateful to have kept a strong relationship with Sierra Leone, and to witness the impact that 21,620+ life-changing surgical procedures, 77,470+ dental procedures, and 8,100+ professionals trained in their areas of expertise have had on the country and its people.
Mercy Ships and Sierra Leone
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Western Area Urban
2
Western Area Rural
3
Port Loko
4
Kambia
5
Karene
6
Bombali
7
Koinadugu
8
Falaba
9
Kono
10
Kailahun
11
Kenema
12
Tonkolili
13
Bo
14
Pujehun
15
Bonthe
16
Moyamba
Thanks to an invitation from the government of Sierra Leone, Mercy Ships arrived in the Port of Freetown in August 2023 to begin a 10-month field service. This marks the sixth time Mercy Ships has visited Sierra Leone – and the first visit for its purpose-built hospital ship, the Global Mercy™!
During this field service, Mercy Ships anticipates providing more than 2,350 surgeries while also working closely with national partners to strengthen Sierra Leone’s surgical and anesthetic systems. More than 200 healthcare professionals will receive in-depth training and mentorship across areas like nurse anesthesia, biomedical technology, and ophthalmology. The Mercy Ships team works in collaboration with the leadership of Sierra Leone, alongside partners like Connaught Hospital in Freetown, the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons, and the West African College of Surgeons.
“The hospital ship will serve as a platform for training our healthcare professionals to build capacity. Programs will ensure that the positive impact of Mercy Ships will continue long after the ship leaves the shores of Sierra Leone. This partnership will support our vision to ensure a functional national health system delivering efficient, high-quality healthcare services that are accessible, equitable and affordable for all,” said His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio.
“This long-lasting partnership paves the way for Mercy Ships to continue to engage closely with the government of Sierra Leone and to strengthen our joint commitment to improving access to safe surgical care,” said Dr. Sandra Lako, Country Director for Mercy Ships in Sierra Leone.
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.
Medical Training
Mercy Ships offers education and training projects to help strengthen the standards of surgical care in communities of the countries we serve, leaving a lasting impact. Specialized training is provided to local healthcare professionals in techniques and procedures appropriate to their environment.
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.
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.
Medical Training
Mercy Ships offers education and training projects to help strengthen the standards of surgical care in communities of the countries we serve, leaving a lasting impact. Specialized training is provided to local healthcare professionals in techniques and procedures appropriate to their environment.
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.
When is Mercy Ships coming to Liberia?
The Africa Mercy will be arriving in the middle of August 2020 and will stay for a 10 month field service.
How do I register a patient?
Registration will begin several months before the arrival of the ship and will be communicated locally and on this website.
I want to work with Mercy Ships. How can I do this?
We will be needing many people to help as translators, extra hands, and partners during this time. There is much more information on this page about this.