By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
Sierra Leone has once again welcomed the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, the Global Mercy, as it begins its third mission to the country delivering life-changing healthcare services and strengthening the local medical workforce.
Operated by the international charity Mercy Ships, the vessel returned to Sierra Leone following a maintenance stop in Cádiz, Spain, it is set to remain docked for the next ten months, providing free specialised surgeries and advanced medical training for Sierra Leonean healthcare professionals.
The Ministry of Health has hailed the renewed partnership as a critical boost to the nation’s healthcare system. Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby praised the initiative for its dual focus on immediate patient care and long-term capacity building.
Mercy Ships is achieving two vital goals first, delivering much-needed surgical services; second, training Sierra Leoneans in essential patient care and surgical skills, Dr. Demby said, this approach ensures we are not only helping people today but also building a lasting legacy for the future.
Since its inaugural mission in 2023, the Global Mercy has significantly expanded access to specialised medical care in Sierra Leone, over the past two years, the ship’s team has performed more than 3,630 free surgeries for 3,240 patients, covering a wide range of specialties including maxillofacial, orthopedic, and general surgeries.
Beyond direct medical services, Mercy Ships’ Education, Training, and Advocacy (ETA) programs continue to empower local healthcare workers with critical skills, these initiatives focus on strengthening surgical systems, ensuring that improvements in healthcare delivery endure long after the ship departs.
For thousands of Sierra Leoneans, the return of the Global Mercy brings renewed hope not only through free surgical care but also through the promise of a stronger, more resilient national health system for generations to come.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday,15th August 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
