Mercy Ships to extend life-saving surgical and training mission in Sierra Leone

SIERRA LEONE— The Sierra Leone Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the international charity Mercy Ships, is gearing up for the next phase of an ongoing mission to provide free, life-saving surgeries and professional training for healthcare workers.

This new phase is set to begin in August 2025, continuing the partnership’s commitment to improving healthcare access in the country.

As part of the preparations, the Global Mercy™, the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, will temporarily leave Sierra Leone for scheduled maintenance in Cadiz, Spain.

After this maintenance period, the ship is expected to return in August to resume its specialized surgical care services.

It will remain in Sierra Leone until June 2026, continuing to deliver critical surgeries and training.

Even after the ship departs in mid-2026, a dedicated team will stay on the ground to work alongside local partners.

Their goal is to strengthen Sierra Leone’s healthcare workforce and surgical care systems through 2030.

This effort aligns closely with the government’s national priorities to expand access to essential surgical care and build medical capacity across the country.

Since its arrival in Freetown in August 2023, the Global Mercy™ has made a significant impact.

It has provided over 3,630 free surgeries and trained more than 290 healthcare professionals both on board the ship and within local facilities.

Each week, between four and eight Sierra Leonean healthcare workers receive hands-on training aboard the ship, enhancing their skills and knowledge.

Dr. Sandra Lako, Mercy Ships Country Director for Sierra Leone, expressed enthusiasm about the ship’s return in August.

She highlighted the ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Health and the University of Sierra Leone, emphasizing their shared goal of strengthening surgical care.

Dr. Lako also noted that even after the ship’s departure in 2026, their agreement with the government reflects a long-term commitment to lasting improvements through 2030.

She added that the positive effects of this partnership are already being seen across the healthcare system.

The upcoming return of the Global Mercy™ will mark Mercy Ships’ third consecutive mission in Sierra Leone and its eighth visit since 1992.

 This long-standing relationship continues to focus on improving access to safe surgical care for those most in need.

Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby praised the partnership with Mercy Ships as truly transformative for the people of Sierra Leone.

He expressed pride in the government’s role in enhancing access to free surgical services and building the capacity of the health workforce through training.

Dr. Demby assured that the government will continue to support upcoming missions to help even more Sierra Leoneans benefit from these vital services.

In addition to surgeries, Mercy Ships is working closely with the University of Sierra Leone to support a nurse anesthesia diploma course.

This program aims to address the country’s shortage of anesthesia providers and is designed to eventually be led entirely by Sierra Leonean faculty, ensuring sustainable growth in qualified professionals.

Furthermore, Mercy Ships continues its partnership with Connaught Hospital through the Safer Surgery program.

This initiative focuses on strengthening surgical teams and improving patient care outcomes.

Support for dental education also remains a priority, with sponsorships for Sierra Leonean dental students studying at Gamal Abdel Nasser University in Guinea, in collaboration with the University of Sierra Leone.

Together, these efforts represent a comprehensive approach to building a stronger, more resilient healthcare system in Sierra Leone, with lasting benefits for the country’s people well into the future.

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