What Countries Does Mercy Ships Go To?
Mercy Ships partners with African nations, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, to provide free surgical care and strengthen surgical systems through education and training.
In total, Mercy Ships has served 14 African nations: Benin, Cameroon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Madagascar, Republic of Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Togo.
For its 2026 field services, the Africa Mercy is serving in Madagascar through December 2026, while the Global Mercy arrived in Ghana in August 2026 for a field service scheduled through June 2027. Both ships provide free surgical care and support education and training for healthcare professionals.
Current Mercy Ships Countries 2026
Ghana
In late 2025, the Government of Ghana and Mercy Ships reaffirmed their partnership following a meeting between His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama and members of the Mercy Ships Board. In August 2026, the Global Mercy™ arrived to Ghana’s Port of Tema for a new field service in the country through June 2027. This service period marks Mercy Ships’ fifth visit to Ghana since 1991; a remarkable milestone in our ongoing partnership with the African nation. Returning to Ghana presents the opportunity to create a new and lasting impact on the country’s healthcare ecosystem.
Madagascar
Mercy Ships has been to Madagascar 6 times including our 2026 field service. After a successful annual maintenance period in Durban, South Africa, the Africa Mercy has returned safely to Madagascar.
From late May to December 2026, it is expected that more than 1400 surgeries will be performed on board as well as more than 1400 dental encounters.
In 2025, Mercy Ships performed more than 1,370 surgeries and 7,110 dental procedures.
What Countries Have Mercy Ships Been to in The Past?
Madagascar
The country has only 2 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants. Mercy Ships has been to Madagascar 6 times: 1996, 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Sierra Leone
The country counts only 0.4 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants. Mercy Ships has been to Sierra Leone 8 times, including our current field service: 1992-1993, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2011, 2023-2024, 2024-2025 and 2025-2026.
Senegal
Mercy Ships has been to Senegal 5 times. The country counts only 1.3 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants. Past field services: 1993-1994, 2019-2020, 2022 (Africa Mercy), 2022 (Global Mercy) and 2023. During our 2023 mission, Mercy Ships offered free surgeries to the people of Senegal and the Gambia.
Guinea (Conakry)
Mercy Ships has been to Guinea 4 times. The country counts only 0.2 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants. Past field services: 1992, 1998-1999, 2012-2013, 2018-2019.
Guinea-Bissau
Mercy Ships has served the population of Guinea-Bissau in 1992. The country has only 2.1 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants.
Cameroon
Mercy Ships served the population of Cameroon in 2017-2018 for a ten months field service. The country has only 1.3 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants.
Benin
The country counts 2 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants. Mercy Ships has been to Benin 5 times: 1997-1998, 2000-2001, 2004-2005, 2009, and 2016-2017.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Mercy Ships has served the population of Congo in 2013-2014. The country has only 1.9 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants.
Togo
The country counts only 0.8 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants. Mercy Ships has been to Togo 5 times. Past field services: 1990-1991, 1995-1996, 2003, 2010, and 2012.
Liberia
Liberia counts only 1.8 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants. Mercy Ships has been to Liberia 5 times. Past field services: 2005, 2006, 2006-2007, 2007 and 2008.
Ghana
Ghana counts only 1.4 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants. Mercy Ships has been to Ghana 4 times. Past field services: 1991, 1994, 1995 and 2006-2007.
The Gambia
Mercy Ships has been to The Gambia 2 times in 2000 and 2002. The country counts only 1 doctor per 10,000 inhabitants. In 2023, Mercy Ships also served the people of the Gambia while the hospital ship was docked in Dakar, Senegal.
South Africa
Mercy Ships has been to South Africa 2 times in 1996-1997 and in 2010. South Africa counts 8.1 doctor per 10,000 inhabitants.
Ivory Coast
Mercy Ships served the population of Ivory Coast in 1991-1992. The country has only 1.8 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants.
What Countries Have Mercy Ships Been to in The Past?
Madagascar
The country has only 2 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants. Mercy Ships has been to Madagascar 4 times: 1996, 2014-2015, 2015-2016 and 2024. We can't wait to start our 5th mission in this host country in 2025.
Senegal
Mercy Ships has been to Senegal 4 times. The country counts only 1.3 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants. Past field services: 1993-1994, 2019-2020, 2022, 2023. During our 2023 mission, Mercy Ships offered free surgeries to the people of Senegal and the Gambia.
Guinea (Conakry)
Mercy Ships has been to Guinea 3 times. The country counts only 0.2 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants. Past field services: 1998-1999, 2012-2013, 2018-2019.
Cameroon
Mercy Ships served the population of Cameroon in 2017-2018 for a ten months field service. The country has only 1.3 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants.
Benin
The country counts 2 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants. Mercy Ships has been to Benin 5 times: 1997-1998, 2000-2001, 2004-2005, 2009, and 2016-2017.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Mercy Ships has served the population of Congo in 2013-2014. The country has only 1.9 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants.
Togo
The country counts only 0.8 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants. Mercy Ships has been to Togo 5 times. Past field services: 1990-1991, 1995-1996, 2003, 2010, and 2012.
Ivory Coast
Mercy Ships served the population of Ivory Coast in 1991-1992. The country has only 1.8 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants.
Sierra Leone
The country counts only 0.4 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants. Mercy Ships has been to Sierra Leone 7 times, including our current field service: 1992-1993, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2011, 2023-2024 and 2024 until 2025.
Liberia
Liberia counts only 1.8 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants. Mercy Ships has been to Liberia 5 times. Past field services: 2005, 2006, 2006-2007, 2007 and 2008.
Ghana
Ghana counts only 1.4 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants. Mercy Ships has been to Ghana 3 times. Past field services: 1991, 1995 and 2006-2007.
The Gambia
Mercy Ships has been to The Gambia 2 times in 2000 and 2002. The country counts only 1 doctor per 10,000 inhabitants. In 2023, Mercy Ships also served the people of the Gambia while the hospital ship was docked in Dakar, Senegal.
South Africa
Mercy Ships has been to South Africa 3 times in 1996-1997, 1999-2000 and in 2000. South Africa counts 8.1 doctor per 10,000 inhabitants.
Guinea-Bissau
Mercy Ships has served the population of Guinea-Bissau in 1992. The country has only 2.1 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants.
How Mercy Ships Chooses Locations?
Mercy Ships goes into a country at the invitation of the host nation and collaborates with national governments, health ministries, and local partners to identify countries with limited access to surgical and medical care. The organization also evaluates the potential for long-term impact by ensuring their programs align with the country's development goals, including capacity-building initiatives for local healthcare professionals. This approach ensures that the services provided contribute to sustainable healthcare improvements in the region.
CONCLUSION
Since 1978, Mercy Ships has provided free surgical care and education and training through hospital ships. As of January 1, 2026, Mercy Ships has delivered more than 128,800 life-changing surgical procedures, 588,800 dental procedures and trained more than 56,500 professionals in their area of expertise.
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