Mercy Ships Celebrates World Sight Day
Established by the World Health Organization (WHO), World Sight Day is an annual day of awareness that aims to bring global attention to vision impairment and blindness.
Over 2.2 million people worldwide are visually impaired, with an estimated 1 billion suffering from untreated preventable conditions (WHO). In developing nations, eye conditions treatable in early stages are often neglected, leading to impairment or blindness.
Being blind in developing countries has a devastating impact on quality of life – most people suffering from blindness are outcasts, neglected by their communities and unable to support themselves and their families.
The Mercy Ships Ophthalmic Program treats patients like 9-year-old Monique, who had to leave school when she developed cataracts, leaving her blind. When her Grandmother heard that the Africa Mercy was accepting patients in Cameroon, her heart filled with hope. Thanks to generous partners, Monique received free surgery that restored her vision! She has now returned to school, and has a bright future to look forward to.
Mercy Ships works in the world’s poorest nations to give hope to people who have lost their vision. This #WorldSightDay, we want to say THANK YOU to all our generous partners who help us give the gift of sight to those in need.
Mercy Ships Welcomes Presidential Visit on board, in Toamasina Harbor
Presidential Visit: Malagasy president His Excellency Andry Nirina Rajoelina visited patients and volunteers on board Mercy Ships’ hospital vessel to see for himself the lives being transformed.
Day of the Seafarer: One Maritime Volunteer’s Story
On this Day of the Seafarer, Mercy Ships wants to honor all the people like Ishaka, volunteer assistant bosun on board the Global Mercy.
An Electrician’s Journey to Finding Purpose and Professional Growth
When Jean Jacques Diouf came on board for the 1st time, he’d packed his suitcase with enough supplies for one week. Learn more about his professional growth!
THE MSC FOUNDATION, THE MSC GROUP AND MERCY SHIPS INTERNATIONAL JOIN FORCES TO BUILD A NEW HOSPITAL SHIP
The new purpose-built hospital ship will expand the impact of Mercy Ships’ life-changing surgeries, anaesthetic care and surgical education for future generations of patients and healthcare professionals in sub-Saharan Africa.
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.
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.
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