Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Mercy Ships has departed the shores of Sierra Leone for a planned maintenance period in Cadiz, Spain, and will return in August to continue delivering specialised surgical care until its final departure in June 2026.
According to a joint press release from the Ministry of Health and Mercy Ships, a team on the ground will continue working alongside Mercy Ships to strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce and surgical care system through 2030. This aligns with the government’s national priorities to improve access to essential surgical care and strengthen medical capacity.
Since its initial arrival in Freetown in August 2023, the world’s largest purpose-built civilian hospital ship has provided over 3,630 free surgeries and training for more than 290 healthcare professionals, on board the ship as well as on the ground. Each week, the ship has had between 4 and 8 Sierra Leonean participants receiving on-ship training.
Dr. Sandra Lako, Mercy Ships Country Director for Sierra Leone, said: “We look forward to the ship’s return in August as we continue to partner with the Ministry of Health and the University of Sierra Leone to strengthen surgical care. Even after the ship departs in 2026, our agreement with the government underscores a shared commitment to lasting impact through 2030. We’re already witnessing the ripple effect of this sustained partnership in action.”
Patient registration for the upcoming phase of surgeries will take place from June 17-19 and June 24-26. Mercy Ships is encouraging those hoping to register to ensure they follow Ministry of Health guidelines on Mpox safety measures and to help prevent overcrowding by avoiding the first day of registration. All cases will be reviewed by a surgeon before surgery is confirmed.
When the Global Mercy returns in August 2025, this will mark the charity’s third consecutive field service in Sierra Leone and its eighth visit to the country since 1992, reinforcing a long- standing partnership aimed at improving access to safe surgical care for those who need it most. The Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, said their partnership with Mercy Ship has been truly life-transforming for the people of Sierra Leone, and as a government, they are proud of the significant contributions they are making in improving access to free surgical services as well as improving capacity of the health workforce through training.
“We look forward to the next field service and we will provide all the support necessary to make more Sierra Leoneans benefit from their assistance,” the minister stated
Mercy Ships will continue working alongside the University of Sierra Leone to support the delivery of the nurse anaesthesia diploma course, helping to address the country’s current shortage of anaesthesia providers. The long-term aim is for this program to be fully led by Sierra Leonean faculty to ensure a sustainable increase in qualified professionals.
In addition, Mercy Ships is continuing to partner with the Connaught Hospital in the Safer Surgery programme, which has an emphasis on strengthening surgical teams and working towards measurable improvements in patient care.
Support for dental education will continue through the sponsorship of Sierra Leonean dental students studying at Gamal Abdel Nasser University in Guinea, in partnership with the University of Sierra Leone.
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