Mercy Ships Marks a Year of Growth, Partnerships, and Life-Changing Surgery
Mercy Ships has concluded a landmark year across its two hospital vessels, the Africa Mercy® and the Global Mercy™, expanding access to safe, free surgical care while strengthening healthcare systems across Africa. For the second consecutive year, the organisation operated simultaneously in two countries, delivering transformative medical services and deepening strategic partnerships.
In 2025, more than 3,240 volunteers from over 75 nations, alongside 2,120 national crew members, contributed their skills in surgery, nursing, dentistry, engineering, catering, and more to advance the organisation’s mission.
Among the volunteers, Dr. Justina Seyi-Olajide, Nigeria’s first female paediatric surgeon to serve with Mercy Ships, made a notable impact. “Coming from a low- or middle-income country isn’t a reason to stay on the sidelines,” Dr. Seyi-Olajide said. “I want to be part of the change that’s happening.”
Over the year, Mercy Ships performed more than 3,060 surgeries for over 2,850 patients, restoring mobility, sight, dignity, and health. From orthopaedic and maxillofacial procedures to cataract removals and women’s health operations, patients received life-changing care grounded in compassion, respect, and clinical excellence.
One particularly moving story involved a blind mother and daughter, both living with advanced cataracts, who were able to see each other for the first time following surgery. Their reunion symbolises the profound impact of Mercy Ships’ work.
Beyond direct medical care, Mercy Ships continued to strengthen healthcare systems through education and training programmes, providing over 228,540 hours of training to 838 healthcare professionals from 13 African nations.
Notable partnerships included the Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry in Guinea, which trained local professionals to deliver over 15,290 dental procedures for more than 2,040 patients. Participants came from countries including Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, and Uganda.
Mercy Ships also supported government-led initiatives, including Sierra Leone’s National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anaesthesia Plans (NSOAPs), presented at PASHeF, a platform dedicated to strengthening African health systems and promoting African leadership in healthcare. Strategic collaborations, such as with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), helped connect patients in remote communities to the hospital ships.
The Africa Mercy has entered an extended Annual Maintenance Period (AMP) and is scheduled to return to Tamatave, Madagascar, in May 2026 for a third consecutive field service, including upgrades to hospital equipment and ship systems. Meanwhile, the Global Mercy will complete its current service in Sierra Leone in May 2026 before proceeding to Ghana in August for its fifth visit.
The organisation also welcomed a new CEO, Dr. Michelle White, whose experience as a volunteer and medical professional provides deep insight into both operational needs and patient realities across Africa.
As 2025 comes to a close, Mercy Ships celebrates a year of lives transformed, partnerships strengthened, and hope renewed. With committed volunteers, crew, and supporters, the organisation enters 2026 with a renewed vision to expand access to safe, free surgical care across the continent.
For more information: https://MercyShips.org
