Ghanaian Biomedical Specialist Honoured as Humanitarian of the Year
Mercy Ships is celebrating one of its own this World Health Day, as biomedical specialist Deborah Geneugelijk Nutsugah has been named “Humanitarian of the Year” at the 2026 Tech Choice Awards. The accolade recognises her exceptional contribution to safe surgical care in low-resource countries.
Deborah, who currently lives in The Netherlands, serves aboard one of the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ships. Her role ensures that life-changing medical equipment remains safe, functional, and adapted to the unique challenges of operating at sea.
Unlike traditional hospitals, Mercy Ships must contend with a constantly moving environment, which requires precise attention to technical detail.
“Even the smallest technical issue can have serious consequences if equipment isn’t properly maintained,” Deborah said. “This recognition is not just about me; it reflects the dedication of an entire team working behind the scenes to make surgery possible.”
Renowned for her ingenuity and problem-solving skills, Deborah often adapts complex medical equipment and coordinates with the ship’s crew to stabilise procedures during delicate operations, such as eye surgeries. In some cases, equipment must even be moved ashore for calibration.
This award comes as Deborah steps into her new role as Biomedical Service Coordinator. During Mercy Ships’ upcoming field service, she and her twin sister will return to Ghana to serve their home country.
“Returning to Ghana in this capacity is incredibly meaningful,” she said. “To contribute to strengthening healthcare in the country where we grew up is both a privilege and a responsibility.”
Deborah will not be able to attend the award ceremony in person; the Humanitarian of the Year trophy will travel to meet her in The Netherlands. The award will be formally presented at the MD Expo Baltimore on 8 April, which brings together industry leaders to celebrate innovation and positive impacts in healthcare technology.
Deborah is the second Mercy Ships volunteer to receive this prestigious award, following biomedical equipment technician Emmanuel Essah in 2024. Mercy Ships continues to work closely with Ghana’s Ministry of Health, delivering surgical care, training, and long-term capacity building for local healthcare professionals.
