The hospital ships Global Mercy and África Mercy, from the Texan NGO Mercy Ships (Ships of Hope), left for Africa on Friday, to continue their humanitarian work, after both vessels coincided in the port of Granadilla.
The world’s largest civilian hospital ship, the new Global Mercy, set sail for Dakar, the capital of Senegal. Thanks to its state-of-the-art medical facilities, this hospital ship will be able to perform specialized operations for the first time and train medical personnel from Senegal and The Gambia.
“We thank the port of Granadilla for welcoming us during the last months of preparation. Tenerife has been our base port and home since 1991 and once again the companies from Tenerife have provided their services and know-how to complete both the equipment of the largest civil hospital ship in the world, as well as to carry out the maintenance and updating of emergency equipment. our Africa Mercy”, declared Gerardo Vangioni, president of Ships of Hope in Spain. “Over the next five months, until June 2023, more than 800 maxillofacial, pediatric, orthopedic and ophthalmic surgeries will take place, of which 25% will be in The Gambia,” he added.
When the hospital ship Global Mercy visited Senegal in June 2022, more than 260 Senegalese healthcare professionals received training on board through various courses on topics related to the provision of safe surgical care, such as surgical techniques, anesthesia and nursing. By 2023, Ships of Hope plans to train more than 600 medical professionals.
The África Mercy, which arrived in Granadilla in December to transfer part of its crew and equipment, will head to Durban (South Africa) for an extended maintenance period before continuing its humanitarian mission in 2024 in East Africa.
