In response to an invitation from H.E. President Julius Maada Bio, Freetown has welcomed a Mercy Ships’ hospital ship, marking the sixth instance of the collaboration between Mercy Ships and the government of Sierra Leone. This time it is the Global Mercy® the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship, which has docked at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay.
For the next ten months, Mercy Ships’ newest state-of-the-art hospital ship will partner with the Ministry of Health to provide free specialized surgeries to Sierra Leoneans and targeted training for healthcare professionals until June 2024. Mercy Ships’ programmatic strategy has been carefully aligned with the country’s current strategic healthcare plan.
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Submitted by: Peter Wooding
Organization/website: www.mercyships.org
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In response to an invitation from H.E. President Julius Maada Bio, Freetown has welcomed a Mercy Ships’ hospital ship, marking the sixth instance of the collaboration between Mercy Ships and the government of Sierra Leone. This time it is the Global Mercy® the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship, which has docked at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay.
For the next ten months, Mercy Ships’ newest state-of-the-art hospital ship will partner with the Ministry of Health to provide free specialized surgeries to Sierra Leoneans and targeted training for healthcare professionals until June 2024. Mercy Ships’ programmatic strategy has been carefully aligned with the country’s current strategic healthcare plan.
Script or Transcript (English/Spanish):
Freetown pilot, this is global mercy.
You have got the captain, welcome to Freetown.
David Kpakiwa – Mercy Ships Operations Liaison
I’m overwhelmed. It’s just so amazing seeing the Global Mercy coming into my country.
Welcome to Sierra Leone
Welcome to Salone
Abdulai Sesay – Country Engagement Team HR Assistant
Today is like for me. I would say it’s a national holiday
Dr Med Mustapha S Kabba – Deputy Chief Medical Officer
We see all of these people coming to help us as Sierra Leonans. This is really a moment of igniting hope and I’m really happy about it.
Dr Sandra Lako – Country Director
As I got the first glimpse of the Global Mercy honestly I was overjoyed, I had tears in my eyes. This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. And it’s just incredible to think about the transformation we can bring here in the lives of patients, communities, healthcare workers and in safe surgery in Sierra Leone.
Joff Williams – Volunteer Managing Director
Today’s been a really special day. We’ve been able to welcome hundreds of visitors aboard the Global Mercy special guests who have welcomed us into their nation.
Dr Austin Denby – Minister of Health, Sierra Leone
This is close to a year of thinking and planning and organizing. But to see all of that come into reality with the ship actually in Sierra Leone. It was just amazing.
Gert van de Weerdhof – CEO Mercy Ships
We at Mercy Ships firmly believe the impact of our work will be multiplied. There will be a ripple effect to our efforts and we will see transformation. Sierra Leone remains committed to improving its surgical systems making surgical care a tangible reality for its people. Working together we will make progress.
His Excellency, Dr Julius Maada Bio – President of the Republic of Sierra Leone
I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Mercy Ships organization, sponsors, professional volunteers, dedicated individuals who serve on board and everyone who has contributed to making this mission possible. Together we can create a legacy of healing and hope that will resonate with generations to come.
It’s a privilege for us to be able to host the president and the ministers of cabinet that we had today. But importantly it signifies a partnership between us in Mercy Ships. And the people in the nation of Sierra Leone. It’s wonderful to be together on this mission.
Story Info:
Date filmed: August 2023
Location (city, country): Freetown, Sierra Leone
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