Mercy Ships extends mission in Sierra Leone until 2026

SIERRA LEONE—The Ministry of Health of Sierra Leone and international charity Mercy Ships have announced that the Global Mercy™ hospital ship will continue its mission in Freetown until June 2026.

This extension reaffirms their commitment to providing life-changing surgical care and marks Mercy Ships’ third consecutive service in Sierra Leone.

Since 1992, the charity has visited the country eight times, helping thousands of patient’s access essential medical treatment.

To strengthen this collaboration, an extended protocol agreement has been signed, ensuring continued support for Sierra Leone’s healthcare system beyond the ship’s departure in 2026.

 This agreement extends through 2030, focusing on sustainable improvements in surgical care, medical training, and healthcare infrastructure.

Since arriving in August 2023, Global Mercy—the world’s largest purpose-built civilian hospital ship—has performed over 2,470 free surgeries and trained more than 230 healthcare professionals.

These efforts align with Sierra Leone’s national healthcare goals to improve access to essential surgeries and strengthen the country’s medical workforce.

At the official signing of the protocol addendum, Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health, and Mr. Timothy Musa Kabba, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, highlighted the trust and cooperation underpinning this partnership.

Dr. Demby praised Mercy Ships for its dedication, stating, “What Mercy Ships has demonstrated is what empathy does in the service of people. “

“You see it in the smiles—not just of the patients but also of their families, who witness the transformation of their loved ones.”

Mr. Kabba expressed optimism about the long-term impact of this collaboration, noting that in the next five years, they hope to see an increase in the number of beneficiaries.

 According to him, this initiative will help Sierra Leoneans regain their health and pursue their dreams.

Dr. Sandra Lako, Country Director for Mercy Ships Sierra Leone, also shared her enthusiasm about the extension, emphasizing that they are  delighted to continue providing life-changing surgeries and training for an additional 10 months.

She added that their five-year agreement with the government affirms their shared vision to make a lasting impact on surgical care.

She also mentioned that they look forward to the ripple effect this sustained partnership will bring.

Beyond surgeries, Mercy Ships is dedicated to building Sierra Leone’s healthcare capacity. The organization partners with the Ministry of Health and the University of Sierra Leone to foster long-term improvements in the country’s surgical care system.

Educational programs include sponsorships for Sierra Leonean dental students at Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry in Guinea, with graduates committed to strengthening the nation’s dental workforce.

Additionally, training programs for nurses focus on perioperative care, anesthesia, and sterile processing to enhance patient safety and surgical outcomes.

In 2024, Mercy Ships was also accredited by the West African College of Surgeons, enabling anaesthesia and surgery residents to complete rotations on Global Mercy to supplement their in-country training.

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