by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:15 AM ET, Tue April 23, 2024
A new agreement between Mercy Ships International, MSC Group and its charitable arm, the MSC Foundation, will build a brand-new hospital ship that will offer free medical training and free surgery to thousands of people in Africa in the years to come.
Mercy Ships is a non-governmental organization that has provided over 117,000 specialized surgical procedures for those in sub-Saharan Africa, where medical care is critically needed. Founded in 1978, the organization also trains and educates medical care professionals onboard its ships, with over 54,000 local professionals trained since its inception.
The need for medical care in the region is great: 91 percent of surgical needs are unmet in Sierra Leone alone, according to Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh’s speech at the West African College of Surgeons conference.
The new purpose-built hospital ship will be designed similarly to another ship in the organization’s fleet, Global Mercy. It’ll offer designated training spaces to enhance training and health advocacy and accommodations for around 600 crew and guests. The hospital will span two decks with over 75,000 square feet, and will feature six operating rooms, a full laboratory and a training space. There is currently no date for its launch.
“The investment of many around the world towards a fleet of hospital ships will be enhanced by the future of our new purpose-built vessel,” said Don Stephens, Founder of Mercy Ships. “The mission of Mercy Ships to bring hope and healing is only possible by the generosity of our partners, volunteer crew, and the provision of God. Today, I am grateful to MSC for their support.”
MSC Group and Mercy Ships have been partners since 2011, with the shipping arm of the group providing logistical support and delivery of critical supplies to all its ports of service. Now, the group is providing the design for the new ship.
“I spent part of my childhood and early years in the shipping industry in the Horn of Africa; it is a region close to my heart,” said Capt. Aponte, founder of the MSC Group. “I saw firsthand the challenges faced by many local communities there and this shaped my conviction that improving the availability of healthcare would bring real and lasting impact for them.”
“It has been extremely gratifying to work with Don and provide this crucial support through his unique organization Mercy Ships, our partnership has reaped extraordinary results already and now we are on the verge of expanding their fleet to increase this support,” continued Capt. Aponte. “I truly look forward to seeing this new ship set sail to help more communities across Africa.”
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