Mercy Ships Announces
Next Field Service in Senegal

Day Crew celebrate as the Africa Mercy arrives in Cameroon

Mercy Ships is overjoyed to share that in early 2022, the Africa Mercy® will return to a beloved port – Dakar, Senegal. By invitation of Senegal’s government, led by President H.E. Macky Sall, Mercy Ships will continue this partnership and return to bring hope and healing to the people of Senegal.

During this field service, which will last through most of 2022, Mercy Ships will provide surgery to patients from across all 14 regions of the country. Many of these patients have been awaiting their opportunity to receive life-changing care. With the help of our local partners and volunteer professionals from around the world, Mercy Ships is honored to fulfill that hope and complete our promise to return. In addition, our collaboration with local healthcare professionals aims to further strengthen Senegal’s own capacity and assist the Minister of Health in creating a dynamic national surgical plan.
Mark Shrime and Jason Savage, Max Fax Surgeons, work in the Operating Room alongside MCB mentee, Dr. Diegane Faye. © Mercy Ships

Health and Safety During a New Season

During the early outbreak of the pandemic, Mercy Ships made the difficult decision to leave our field service in Senegal earlier than planned to protect those onboard and in-country. The decision to return for a new field service comes after much research, planning, and prayer. Mercy Ships is committed to making a safe return for all patients, caregivers, crew, visitors, and partners in Senegal.

What does this safe return look like?

Mercy Ships is following several policies and vaccination requirements, which will allow us to operate in a safe and responsible way while providing life transforming surgery to those who need it most. Some of these COVID-19 protocols onboard include:

  • Following health and safety measures, including wearing face masks and social distancing, onboard our ship.
  • Following the local Ministry of Health’s health and safety requirements.
  • Requiring all volunteer crewmembers to be fully vaccinated.
  • Requiring and assisting our day crew to be fully vaccinated.
  • We are working with the Ministry of Health to provide vaccinations to patients and caregivers when possible.

“Mercy Ships is committed to ensuring we can return to Senegal in a COVID responsible way. Whilst we know all missions involve some degree of risk, there are multiple measures we have put in place to reduce that risk whilst still being able to bring hope and healing to the people of Senegal,” says Dr. Miriam John, Mercy Ships International Chief Medical Officer.

Crew receiving Covid-19 vaccinations onboard. © Mercy Ships

2022 is an incredibly special year for Mercy Ships in many ways. Not only is it the renewal of a field service in Senegal, but also the newest Mercy Ship, the Global Mercy®, will dock in an African port for the first time. In 2022, Mercy Ships will also celebrate 30 years of work and partnership in Africa.

In honor of this milestone occasion, Mercy Ships will participate in the International Symposium on Strengthening Surgical, Obstetric, and Anesthetic Care Systems in Africa by 2030. This symposium, organized in collaboration with the government of Senegal, will gather many current and future healthcare leaders together in a time to share and learn from each other.

During this time, the government of Senegal will also host an event with many African heads of state to commission the Global Mercy, our newest vessel – not just a floating hospital, but also a floating training center. We cannot think of a better way to start this new chapter together.

volunteer Florence Bangura

The Woman Who Forged Her Way Through Walls: Florence Bangura’s Story

Florence’s journey from oldest to newest Mercy Ship came full circle when she met the Global Mercy™ in 2023, the same year that the purpose-built hospital ship began welcoming its patients on board. Today, you can find Florence, now 49 years old, down in the engine room as a hotel engineering assistant.

Dr Austin Demby

Transforming Sierra Leone’s Healthcare: A Vision for Safe and Affordable Surgery

As experts from the surgical and healthcare world gather for the 64th Annual Conference and Scientific Meeting of the West African College of Surgeons in Sierra Leone this week, a profound dedication to advancing surgical knowledge and practice in the region is palpable. At the forefront of discussions lies the conference’s pivotal theme: access to safe and affordable surgical and anesthetic care in West Africa. This theme highlights the pressing need to address disparities in healthcare capabilities and capacities across the region, especially the critical importance of equitable access to quality surgical interventions.

Mission Madagascar

The Africa Mercy Arrives in Madagascar to Bring Hope and Healing Anew

Freshly refitted hospital ship, the upgraded Africa Mercy® has arrived at the island nation to build on the charity’s longstanding collaboration and will provide specialized surgeries in various fields, including maxillofacial and ear nose and throat, general, pediatric specialized general, pediatric orthopedic, cataract surgery, and reconstructive plastics. 

Patient Vanya

Reuniting with Vanya, Years After Surgery

In 2015, in an operating room on board the Africa Mercy while docked in Madagascar, the course of Vanya’s life changed.
Years have now passed since Vanya’s journey toward healing. In the time since, her improved ability to walk allowed her to return to school, where she loved studying environmental science and learning about the world around her.

Kadidja

Kadidja: A Future as Bright as her Smile

At Mercy Ships Canada, we serve those who have lost hope, bringing healing and transformation. Our volunteers, inspired by their faith, work selflessly to perform surgeries that renew not only bodies but also faith and hope. This Christmas, be a part of the miracle by making a donation to Mercy Ships Canada. Your contribution will help renew faith and offer a second chance at life. Together, we can make a significant impact on those who have suffered for too long.

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