Africa Celebration

This spring, Mercy Ships and its partners in Africa will come together to begin a groundbreaking, strategic effort to improve access to safe surgery across the continent.
This is a moment to pause and give thanks for 30 years of partnership, filled with stories of hope and healing. It’s also a turning point. A chance to look ahead to a shared vision for the future.

Senegal Africa Map

International Symposium - May 4-6

A Roadmap to Strengthen Surgical, Obstetric and Anaesthetic Care Systems in Africa

Thanks to your support Mercy Ships is able to strengthen its partnership with African countries and stakeholders to provide free surgeries and other medical procedures to the most vulnerable children and adults who cannot afford or do not have access to medical care. The International Symposium on “Strengthening Surgical, Obstetric and Anesthetic Care Systems” will lead to a pan-African commitment to accelerate and improve access to essential, affordable, and equitable health care in Africa by 2030.
Be part of this historic gathering and join leading healthcare professionals, organizations, and individuals committed to providing affordable health care to people in great need by attending this exciting and free virtual event.

The International Symposium and Dakar Declaration are a unique opportunity to:

  • Create a continental roadmap for improving investment in strengthening access to surgical, obstetric and anaesthesia care in Africa by 2030 in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and, in particular, the goal on Health.
  • Promote and strengthen national surgical, anaesthetic, obstetric and nursing care systems and improve the surgical ecosystem as a neglected component of health systems.

The roadmap will be the result of:

  • An assessment of the surgical, obstetric and anaesthesia care situation in Africa with the identification of gaps.
  • A list of priorities to be submitted to the African Heads of State, from an Action Plan focusing on concrete actions and investments [prioritized, streamlined, budgeted and achievable with the commitment of public and private partners] to change the situation for the achievement of the Health SDG N°3 by 2030.
  • A strategy for implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Action Plan.

Presidential Conversation - June 2

Looking to the future

African Heads of State, international healthcare leaders, and Mercy Ships representatives will meet to discuss equitable access to surgical, obstetric, and anesthetic care in Africa. This conversation will culminate with the signing of the Dakar Declaration, a commitment by the nations of Africa to work together to improve access to healthcare across their continent by 2030.

Commissioning of the GLM - June 2

Celebrate

After years of preparation, the newly built Global Mercy is joining the Africa Mercy in Senegal, doubling the Mercy Ships fleet and the capacity for hope and healing. The commissioning of the Global Mercy on June 2 will be a celebration of 30 years of impact, and a promise of much more to come. One moment that everyone is invited to be a part of. One moment that couldn’t have happened without you.

There is an opportunity to livestream several portions of the upcoming continuation of the Africa Celebration. The events on May 27, May 30, and June 2 will be livestreamed so that our community around the world can join. 
Please note that the times are Dakar, Senegal time, GMT (UTC+0). Please plan accordingly per your time zone.

Aminata's story

Aminata was born with a cleft lip, making it difficult for her to eat and get the nutrition she needed. At eight years old, her height and build resembled that of her four-year-old cousin. Ashamed of the way she ate, Aminata refused to eat in public where other children could see and mock her. When her uncle discovered Mercy Ships, Aminata’s journey towards hope and healing began.

The real change comes when we all work together.

It’s an all-hands-on-deck job.
So, partner with us today, and don’t miss the opportunity to help change someone’s life forever.
Your support and volunteer efforts bring hope and healing to so many in great need.