Next Chapter in Transformative Surgical Care as Mercy Ships and Ministry of Health Prepare for August Return
As part of the preparations, the Global Mercy ™ is temporarily leaving Sierra Leone for a planned maintenance period in Cadiz, Spain. The ship will return in August to continue delivering specialised surgical care until the ship departs in June 2026.
Even after the ship departs, a team on the ground will continue working alongside our partners 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.'
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: 'Our partnership with Mercy Ship has been truly life-transforming for the people of this country. As a government, we are very 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.'
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.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships.
For more information about Mercy Ships, contact:
Sophie Barnett
Mercy Ships Senior Manager of International PR
international.media@mercyships.org
About Mercy Ships:
Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and other healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. An international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused entirely on partnering with African nations for the past three decades. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare professionals and supports the construction of in-country medical infrastructure to leave a lasting impact. Each year, more than 2,500 volunteer professionals from over 60 countries serve on board the world's two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy. Professionals such as surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical and anesthetic care. Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has offices in 16 countries as well as an Africa Service Center in Dakar, Senegal. For more information, visit www.MercyShips.org and follow @ MercyShips on social media.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Logistics: A lifeline for South Africa's healthcare system
Efficient logistics are increasingly critical to South Africa's healthcare sector, where the timely and secure delivery of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment can determine patient outcomes. Faced with infrastructure challenges and complex regulatory requirements, logistics providers play a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity and availability of essential medical supplies. Complexities of healthcare logistics Leon Bruwer, managing director for sub-Saharan African sales at FedEx, describes pharmaceutical logistics as one of the most intricate supply chains globally. The sector's stringent regulations and sensitivity to temperature fluctuations demand meticulous planning. Antiretroviral (ARV) medications, for instance, require precise consolidation and delivery coordination to integrate seamlessly into national distribution systems. Any disruption risks delays or spoilage, with significant consequences. Balancing cost, speed, and precision Selecting appropriate transport modes—air, sea, or rail—requires balancing costs with timing and cargo integrity. Cold chain logistics, which ensure temperature-sensitive products remain within required ranges from origin to destination, are particularly crucial. Any breach in this chain renders the products unusable, leading to financial loss and administrative challenges due to mandatory disposal certification. Infrastructure and monitoring investments To address these risks, temperature-controlled storage, insulated containers, and near real-time shipment monitoring systems have become essential. Facilities compliant with Dangerous Goods regulations enable the safe transport of materials like dry ice, frequently used in cold chain logistics. Additionally, proactive customs documentation management helps prevent border delays, ensuring the continuous movement of critical healthcare supplies. Healthcare logistics also encompasses the timely delivery of medical instruments, surgical tools, and diagnostic devices. While these items may not require temperature control, delays or damage can halt medical procedures, underscoring the importance of reliable logistics. Technology's role in risk management Although direct control ends once shipments are airborne, monitoring tools provide vital data confirming compliance with medical board standards. This verification aspect strengthens accountability and patient safety within healthcare supply chains. Enhancing control over shipments Efforts to improve shipment reliability include securing dedicated pallet allocations, granting logistics teams greater oversight over scheduling and routing. This approach aims to reduce delays and maintain cold chain integrity, particularly for high-priority healthcare consignments. As South Africa works to strengthen its healthcare system, logistics providers remain key to meeting patients' needs efficiently and securely. Their role extends beyond transportation, underpinning access to life-saving medicines and critical medical equipment. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
UAE: Ministry strengthens partnership with private hospitals to enhance newborn screening programme
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) held a coordination meeting with representatives from private hospitals to discuss ways to improve the national newborn screening programme and ensure its alignment with the UAE's approved national standards in accordance with federal health legislation. The meeting was held as part of the Ministry's commitment to promoting proactive healthcare and achieving the highest standards of quality in preventive health services. These measures are implemented in line with the Cabinet Resolution on newborn medical screening and the directives issued by the Health Regulation Sector, which define the procedures, standards, and regulatory framework for newborn examinations. They include ongoing monitoring and validation of tests to ensure accuracy, alongside comprehensive clinical and biochemical assessments. The meeting aimed to support MoHAP's ongoing efforts to standardise regulatory and technical procedures for newborn screenings, ensuring the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency in early detection of genetic disorders, hereditary diseases, and other health conditions. These efforts are supported by 'Riayati,' the digital healthcare platform for the National Unified Medical Record (NUMR) programme featuring an integrated database. This platform offers innovative solutions in automation and health data management. The platform enhances patient safety, improves efficiency and service quality, and facilitates timely access to patient records, supporting informed clinical decision-making and advancing MoHAP's preventive health and service improvement objectives. The meeting addressed several strategic themes, including a detailed review of the UAE Cabinet Resolution concerning newborn medical screening. This resolution outlines the procedures, protocols, and regulatory framework governing the screening process, ranging from test result follow-ups and accuracy verification to clinical and biochemical evaluations. It also includes the standard protocols for hearing screening and the detection of critical congenital heart defects. Additionally, the meeting reviewed circulars issued by the Health Regulation Sector, aimed at ensuring unified and consistent implementation of newborn screening protocols across both public and private healthcare institutions in the country, and raising community awareness about the importance of these critical screenings. The programme is executed through a unified network of government and private hospitals across the UAE, laying the foundation for a unified approach to early detection, preventing potential complications, and designating specialised reference laboratories. MoHAP stressed that safeguarding the health of newborns is a strategic priority within the UAE's national healthcare system, reaffirming its keenness to provide integrated preventive and therapeutic healthcare services that align with the latest global standards and advanced medical practices. The Ministry added that it is committed to promoting a culture of disease prevention, supported by advanced healthcare systems capable of providing sustainable healthy lifestyles for all segments of society. The Ministry also highlighted the importance of effective partnership with the private health sector, describing it as a strategic ally in achieving national health objectives. It emphasised that ongoing coordination and the exchange of expertise among all components of the health system are fundamental to building a resilient and integrated healthcare framework. MoHAP noted that newborn screening involves collecting a blood sample for biochemical testing at the National Reference Laboratory to identify potential health conditions, particularly hereditary disorders. The screening also includes hearing assessments to detect impairments, cardiac examinations to identify critical congenital heart defects, and any additional tests introduced in line with global best practices.
Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
Kuwait slashes prices of 544 drugs, medical products to 78.5%
KUWAIT -- Kuwaiti Minister of Health Ahmad Al-Awadhi on Monday made fresh decisions cutting the prices of 544 drugs and medical products by up to 78.5 percent. The decisions included new quotations of 144 drugs and products to be sold at the lowest prices in the Gulf only out of the Ministry of Health's commitment to providing medicines at reasonable prices and attaining economic sustainability in the medical care sector, the ministry said in a press release. The latest price cuts embrace cancer drugs, antibiotics and medications of diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, asthma, arthritis, and skin and colon diseases. The medicine pricelist reductions come in the context of a national policy and continued review of repricing drugs, promoting the economic efficiency of the health sector, and ensuring low medication costs for citizens and residents alike, the ministry added. All KUNA right are reserved © 2025. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
