By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The worldβs largest civilian hospital ship, the Global Mercy, has returned to Sierra Leone for a third time, marking the continuation of a vital partnership between Mercy Ships and the countryβs health sector. The vessel will remain in Sierra Leone for the next ten months, providing specialised surgical services and delivering essential training to healthcare professionals.
Following a brief maintenance period in CΓ‘diz, Spain, the Global Mercy docked back in Freetown, resuming its mission to address critical surgical needs while strengthening the nationβs healthcare capacity. Mercy Ships will continue collaborating with both national and local health authorities to ensure maximum impact.
Welcoming the shipβs return, Sierra Leoneβs Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, praised the organisation for its dual approach of delivering urgent healthcare and building long-term capacity.
βMercy Ships is doing two critical things for us: number one, itβs delivering a much-needed service. Number two, itβs helping train Sierra Leoneans in the core principles of patient care, patient life, and surgeries,β Dr. Demby said. βWhen you have those, you’re not only providing a service today, but you’re also leaving a legacy behind. As a government, we’re extremely pleased and extremely grateful for it.β
The latest visit builds on the significant achievements of the previous two field services. Since 2023, the Global Mercy has performed more than 3,630 free surgeries for 3,240 individuals, covering a wide range of surgical specialties, procedures that have addressed conditions that might otherwise have gone untreated due to lack of access to advanced medical care in the country.
In addition to its direct medical services, Mercy Ships has been instrumental in strengthening Sierra Leoneβs surgical systems through its Education, Training, and Advocacy (ETA) programs. These initiatives are designed to build sustainable local capacity by equipping healthcare professionals with advanced skills, knowledge, and best practices in surgical care.
The training programs cover multiple areas, including anaesthesia, operating theatre management, infection prevention, and postoperative care. By mentoring local surgeons, nurses, and other medical staff, Mercy Ships ensures that the benefits of its presence extend far beyond the shipβs departure.
Officials say the impact of the Global Mercy is felt not only in the thousands of patients who receive life-changing surgeries but also in the lasting improvement of Sierra Leoneβs healthcare delivery system. The partnership has also raised international awareness of the countryβs healthcare challenges and the need for continued investment in surgical infrastructure.
For many patients, the surgeries provided by Mercy Ships are transformative, restoring mobility, improving quality of life, and in some cases, saving lives. The ability to deliver such services free of charge has been widely welcomed in a country where access to specialised surgery remains limited for much of the population.
As the Global Mercy begins its latest mission in Sierra Leone, expectations are high for another impactful chapter in this collaboration. The government and Mercy Ships have reaffirmed their shared commitment to not only meet the immediate surgical needs of citizens but also lay the foundation for a stronger, more self-sufficient healthcare system.
With ten months ahead, thousands more are expected to benefit directly from the shipβs services, while the training and mentorship provided will continue to empower Sierra Leonean medical professionals for years to come.
