Gamal Medical Simulation Lab

Canadian Program

Project Need

This project aims to support the equipping of a medical simulation space located at the Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry in Guinea. Mercy Ships will purchase and ship the equipment directly to Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry (UGANC) in Guinea.

Mercy Ships has worked in West Africa since 1991, sending ships to provide free surgeries and medical care. During this time, the organization developed relationships with key medical professionals in Guinea, who shared a passion for serving patients and investing in future surgeons.

Mercy Ships plans to help Gamal medical school equip their simulation space, which will allow students to have more hands-on experience before graduating.

Project Overview

Mercy Ships recognizes this unique opportunity to partner with Gamal Medical School in fulfilling its vision of meeting the medical training and healthcare needs of the Guinean population.

In May 2018, Mercy Ships entered into a partnership and collaboration with Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry: Gamal Dental School, which led to more collaboration with other departments such as the Department of Medicine (where the nurse anesthesia program functions).

Anticipated Project Impacts

The project would provide a fully equipped medical school with a simulation centre that specializes in medical training. The medical school leadership expressed the need for equipment of an existing space for student simulation as a complement to the practical courses lectured. Medical students require extensive practice and simulation before their clinical rotations, which is a vital aspect of practical education and training. The medical school at UGANC has a new area for simulation and most of the equipment requested are anatomy models for their initial teachings for all medical, nursing, dental, and pharmacy students. The equipment is expected to be used by all medical students, which is over 150 per year.

In Q3 of 2023, the project had 90% of the equipment pending delivery and equipment installation was scheduled for the end of 2023.