The world’s largest civilian hospital ship designed to double the hope, double the healing.
The dream was born long ago.
What if we designed a new hospital ship? One that could hold more patients? Support more volunteer crew members? Deliver more medical training? What if we build a vessel that could provide even more hope and more healing in Africa?
Responding to an Overwhelming Need
The dream of a new ship came in response to a harsh reality. Each year, over 18 million people die because they cannot access safe, affordable, and timely surgery. A large percentage of these deaths occur in Africa’s developing nations, where the fragile health care systems simply cannot support the overwhelming need for safe surgical procedures.
For over 40 years, Mercy Ships has been on a mission to change that. Through the support of our faithful partners and volunteers, we provide access to safe surgery and deliver medical training. As a result, countless lives have been transformed through a holistic approach to health care. From surgical care, to medical training, to long-lasting infrastructure development, we strengthen health care systems by treating patients and providing sustainable solutions to nations in need.
But in all of our efforts to reach more and teach more, we needed a ship equipped to do more.
A Medical Marvel
It’s with much joy and gratitude that we announce the Global MercyTM—the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, built to more than double our capacity to deliver safe health care and medical training to Africa. This 174-meter, 37,000-tonne ship is outfitted with state-of-the-art technology and instrumentation, 6 operating theaters and 199 hospital beds. And because medical training is a critical part of our in-country engagement program, the Global Mercy is equipped with a training center that includes a simulation lab, virtual reality stations, and more. Powered by an international crew of more than 600 volunteers, the ship also has ample accommodations to make its surgeons, nurses, maritime crew, cooks, teachers, electricians and more, feel at home. (Interested in volunteering? Start your application today!)
The Global Mercy will join the Africa Mercy to serve Africa together. With their combined medical technology, passionate crews, and the support of partners, many more people will experience life changing transformations.
Bringing Hope and Healing
Free surgical procedures by some of the most well-trained physicians in the world remains an important part of our life-changing work. And while our patients experience physical healing through the surgeries they receive, they often find much more. Children are able to go to school. Mothers and fathers are able to work and provide for their families. Community relationships are restored. For so many of our patients, access to surgery means finding hope again.
Over the next 50 years, it is estimated that more than 150,000 lives will be changed on board the Global Mercy through surgery alone, and countless more lives will be impacted through the ship’s medical training and infrastructure programs. In close collaboration with our host nations in Africa, the Global Mercy, together with the Africa Mercy, will more than double the impact of our work.
Join us on the journey of making dreams a reality!
BE PART OF OUR JOURNEY
We would love you to be involved in this unique, transformational initiative.
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