By: Mohamed Sahr
In continued partnership with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health, international medical charity Mercy Ships prepared for the next phase of its life-changing mission to deliver free surgical care and healthcare training in the country. This new phase is set to begin in August 2025.
This update was made in a press release on Monday 16th June ,2025.
As part of scheduled preparations, the Global Mercy™, the world’s largest purpose-built civilian hospital ship, is temporarily departing Sierra Leone for routine maintenance in Cadiz, Spain. The vessel is expected to return in August and will continue delivering specialized surgical services until its departure in June 2026.
Even after the ship’s departure in 2026, Mercy Ships will maintain an in-country presence through a dedicated team working alongside national partners to strengthen the country’s surgical care system through 2030. This long-term strategy is aligned with the Government of Sierra Leone’s national health priorities aimed at improving access to essential surgeries and enhancing medical capacity.
Since its arrival in August 2023, the Global Mercy™ has provided over 3,630 free surgeries and facilitated training for more than 290 healthcare professionals, both on board the ship and in community settings. Weekly, between four and eight Sierra Leonean healthcare workers have participated in on-ship training programmes.
Dr. Sandra Lako, Country Director for Mercy Ships in Sierra Leone, stated:
“We look forward to the ship’s return in August as we continue working in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the University of Sierra Leone to strengthen surgical care. Even after the ship departs, our long-term agreement with the government reflects a shared commitment to achieving sustainable impact through 2030. We’re already seeing the ripple effect of this sustained partnership.”
Registration for the upcoming phase of surgical care will take place on June 17–19 and June 24–26. Mercy Ships is encouraging potential patients to follow Ministry of Health Mpox safety guidelines and to help prevent overcrowding by avoiding the first day of registration, if possible. All cases will be reviewed by a qualified surgeon before surgery is confirmed.
The ship’s return in August will mark Mercy Ships’ third consecutive field service in Sierra Leone and eighth visit to the country since 1992, underscoring a decades-long partnership dedicated to expanding access to safe, timely surgical care.
Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health, said the ministry’s partnership with Mercy Ships has been truly life-transforming for the people of this country. As a government, we are proud of the significant contributions being made to expand free surgical services and enhance the capacity of our health workforce. We look forward to the upcoming field service and will continue to provide the necessary support to ensure even more Sierra Leoneans benefit.”
Mercy Ships will continue working alongside the University of Sierra Leone to support the delivery of the nurse anaesthesia diploma programme, a critical effort to address the country’s shortage of anaesthesia providers. The long-term goal is to transition the programme to full leadership by Sierra Leonean faculty for long-term sustainability.
Additionally, Mercy Ships continues to partner with Connaught Hospital under the Safer Surgery Programme, which focuses on strengthening surgical teams and achieving measurable improvements in patient care outcomes.
Support for dental education also remains a priority. Mercy Ships sponsors Sierra Leonean dental students studying at Gamal Abdel Nasser University in Guinea, in partnership with the University of Sierra Leone.