{"id":10689,"date":"2025-01-11T11:14:53","date_gmt":"2025-01-11T19:14:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mercyships.ca\/?page_id=10689"},"modified":"2026-04-03T07:35:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T14:35:57","slug":"what-countries-does-mercy-ships-go-to","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mercyships.ca\/en\/what-countries-does-mercy-ships-go-to\/","title":{"rendered":"What Countries Does Mercy Ships Go To?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\t\t\t\t\"Locations\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tWhat Countries Does Mercy Ships Go To?\t<\/h1>\n\t

Mercy Ships goes to African countries and primarily focuses on the sub-Saharan region, where access to medical care is often extremely limited.<\/p>\n

In total, the organization has been to 14 African countries. All the countries served by Mercy Ships are Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Guinea (Conakry), Guinea-Bisseau, South Africa, Senegal, Benin, Gambia, Liberia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, and Madagascar.<\/p>\n

Our hospital ships are currently serving the people of Sierra Leone (Global Mercy<\/em> location) and Madagascar (Africa Mercy<\/em> location). They both offer free surgeries as well as educational opportunities for the nation’s healthcare professionals.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tCurrent Mercy Ships Countries 2025-2026\t<\/h2>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\"Ghana\n\t<\/figure>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\"Global\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tGhana\t<\/h3>\n\t

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\u2122<\/em> will sail to Ghana’s Port of Tema<\/strong> for a new field service in the country through June 2027. The upcoming service period will mark Mercy Ships’ fifth visit<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tSierra Leone\t<\/h3>\n\t

Mercy Ships has served in Sierra Leone 8 times<\/strong> including our 2025-2026 field service. In 2025, the Global Mercy<\/em> achieved remarkable impact, performing more than 1,690 surgical procedures<\/strong> and more than 4,960 dental procedures<\/strong>, while providing over 5,120 hours of on-ship training and over 28,720 hours of off-ship training.\u00a0Building on this strong foundation, the Global Mercy<\/i> will continue serving in Freetown through June 2026<\/strong>. This long-term commitment reflects Sierra Leone’s national healthcare priorities and our shared goal of expanding access to safe surgery and strengthening local healthcare systems.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"The\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tMadagascar\t<\/h3>\n\t

Mercy Ships has been to Madagascar 5 times<\/strong> including our 2025 field service. During this period, Mercy Ships performed more than 1,370 surgeries<\/strong>, treating conditions such as bowed legs, cataracts, cleft lips, goiters, and more.<\/p>\n

In addition, 7,110 dental procedures<\/strong> were performed.<\/p>\n

In 2026, the Africa Mercy<\/em> will complete its sixth humanitarian mission in the country and is planning to return to the country after the hospital ship’s maintenace period.<\/p>\n\t

Update on the Situation in Madagascar, One Week After Cyclone Gezani<\/strong><\/p>\n

On February 10, Tropical Cyclone Gezani struck Madagascar, severely impacting the port city of Tamatave (Toamasina). The cyclone caused widespread destruction, population displacement, fatalities, and significant material losses. Disruption to water, electricity, and food supplies have created extremely challenging conditions for affected communities.<\/p>\n

As a long-standing partner in Madagascar, we recognize the profound impact this has had on families and communities across the region. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected, including our local crew and security teams on-site. The health and safety of our teams on the ground and our patients remain our highest priority.<\/p>\n

As planned, the Africa Mercy<\/em> departed Madagascar at the end of its previous mission in December 2025. It is currently in Durban, South Africa, for its scheduled annual maintenance. While the ship is not in country at this time, our commitment to the people of Madagascar remains steadfast.<\/p>\n

We are working closely with our partners and local authorities to assess the impact of the cyclone and determine the next steps for repairs and restoration.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMercy Ships Supports National Response Following Cyclone Gezani in Madagascar\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n

\n\t\t\tWhat Countries Have Mercy Ships Been to in The Past?\t<\/h2>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-madagascar-2794817-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tMadagascar\t<\/h3>\n\t

The country has only 2 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants. Mercy Ships has been to Madagascar 5 times: 1996, 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2024 and 2025.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-sierra-leone-2794803-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tSierra Leone\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-senegal-2794869-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tSenegal\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-guinea-2794828-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tGuinea (Conakry)\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-guinea-bissau-2794762-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tGuinea-Bissau\t<\/h3>\n\t

Mercy Ships has served the population of Guinea-Bissau in 1992. The country has only 2.1 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-cameroon-2794743-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tCameroon\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-benin-2794783-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tBenin\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-2794866-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tDemocratic Republic of Congo\t<\/h3>\n\t

Mercy Ships has served the population of Congo in 2013-2014. The country has only 1.9 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-togo-2794872-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tTogo\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-liberia-2794756-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tLiberia\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-ghana-2794784-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tGhana\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-gambia-2794740-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tThe Gambia\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"South\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tSouth Africa\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-cote-divoire-2794738-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tIvory Coast\t<\/h3>\n\t

Mercy Ships served the population of Ivory Coast in 1991-1992. The country has only 1.8 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWhat Countries Have Mercy Ships Been to in The Past? \t<\/h2>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-madagascar-2794817-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tMadagascar\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-senegal-2794869-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tSenegal\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-guinea-2794828-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tGuinea (Conakry)\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-cameroon-2794743-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tCameroon\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-benin-2794783-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tBenin\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-2794866-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tDemocratic Republic of Congo\t<\/h3>\n\t

Mercy Ships has served the population of Congo in 2013-2014. The country has only 1.9 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-togo-2794872-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tTogo\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-cote-divoire-2794738-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tIvory Coast\t<\/h3>\n\t

Mercy Ships served the population of Ivory Coast in 1991-1992. The country has only 1.8 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-sierra-leone-2794803-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tSierra Leone\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-liberia-2794756-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tLiberia\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-ghana-2794784-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tGhana\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-gambia-2794740-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tThe Gambia\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"South\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tSouth Africa\t<\/h3>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\"noun-guinea-bissau-2794762-236AAC\"\n\t<\/figure>\n

\n\t\t\tGuinea-Bissau\t<\/h3>\n\t

Mercy Ships has served the population of Guinea-Bissau in 1992. The country has only 2.1 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHow Mercy Ships Chooses Locations?\t<\/h2>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tCONCLUSION\t<\/h2>\n\t

Mercy Ships is committed to providing healthcare for all and is grateful for all the good work that was done in the African countries and for the upcoming missions.<\/p>\n

Mercy Ships has been offering free healthcare for over 45 years. Thanks to donors and volunteers, since 1978, the organization has been able to perform more than 119,400 surgeries, carry out more than 547,600 dental procedures and train over 55,800 professionals in their area of expertise. Thank you!<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tWaves of Mercy\t<\/h2>\n\tDiscover our online newsletters:
\nYour latest news and stories from Mercy Ships!\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead the Newsletter\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What Countries Does Mercy Ships Go To? Mercy Ships goes to African countries and primarily focuses on the sub-Saharan region, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":10283,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"0","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"Mercy Ships goes to 14 African countries and primarily focuses on the sub-Saharan region, where access to medical care is often extremely limited.","_seopress_robots_index":"","site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"page-builder","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10689","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mercyships.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10689","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mercyships.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mercyships.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mercyships.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mercyships.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10689"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/mercyships.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10689\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14646,"href":"https:\/\/mercyships.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10689\/revisions\/14646"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mercyships.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10283"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mercyships.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10689"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}