The Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and international charity Mercy Ships have extended their partnership, ensuring that the Global Mercy hospital ship will remain in Freetown until June 2026.

This marks Mercy Ships' third consecutive mission in Sierra Leone and its eighth visit since 1992. The collaboration aims to provide life-changing surgical care and support long-term improvements in the country’s healthcare system through 2030.

Since its arrival in August 2023, the Global Mercy—the world’s largest civilian hospital ship—has performed over 2,470 free surgeries and trained more than 230 healthcare professionals. The initiative aligns with Sierra Leone’s healthcare strategy to improve access to essential surgical care and enhance medical training.

A formal agreement was signed by Health Minister Dr. Austin Demby and Foreign Minister Timothy Musa Kabba, highlighting the trust and collaboration between Mercy Ships and the government.

Dr. Demby praised the impact of the program, emphasizing the transformative effect on patients and their families. Minister Kabba expressed hope that more Sierra Leoneans would benefit in the coming years.

Investing in Long-Term Medical Training

Mercy Ships is also supporting medical education by partnering with the University of Sierra Leone. Initiatives include:

Sponsoring Sierra Leonean dental students in Guinea to strengthen the country’s limited dental workforce.

Training nurses in perioperative care, anesthesia, and sterile processing.

Offering surgical and anesthesia residents placements on the Global Mercy, following accreditation by the West African College of Surgeons in 2024.

This extended partnership is expected to have a lasting impact on Sierra Leone’s healthcare system, helping to build self-sufficiency in surgical and medical care long after the ship departs.