DAKAR, SENEGAL — In partnership with African healthcare systems and leaders, Mercy Ships is able to train and mentor local medical professionals, improving surgical care in the long term. The surgeries performed on board Mercy Ships’ floating hospitals are life-changing for patients and their communities – but when it comes to strengthening healthcare systems, Medical Capacity Building (MCB) programs leave a lasting impact.

During a first visit to Africa in June 2022, the Global Mercy® had the opportunity to be part of this transformative training model. In the port of Dakar, Senegal, the new hospital ship hosted 302 Senegalese medical professionals on board for a series of 8 courses covering anesthesia, dentistry, essential surgical skills, neonatal resuscitation, nursing, and sterile processing. More than 4,500 training hours were provided.

During a first visit to Africa last month the Global Mercy® run by Christian charity Mercy Ships hosted 302 Senegalese medical professionals on board for a series of 8 courses in the port city of Dakar in Senegal. The charity’s Medical Capacity Building Projects Director is Erin Muyres.

Erin Muyres – Medical Capacity Building Projects Director:

The goal of medical capacity building is to support making surgeries affordable, timely, safe now and in the future.

Dr. Sarah Kwok – Course Instructor:

Students learn how to practice safe pediatric anesthesia in a very safe environment where they have faculty from Senegal and also from around the world teaching them new techniques.

Dr. Fatoumata Bah – Course Participant:

These training sessions are very important because we are learning new things. It allows me to see things that we hadn’t seen yet. It allows us to review many other things.

Dr. Romeo Haoudou – Course Instructor:

These are the basic surgical skills that we need to be able to perform clean and safe surgery. How to get sterile before operating. How to move and handle the instruments.

Dr. Aristide Donyo – Course Particpant:

The simulations were very interesting. It really allowed us to practice while acquiring certain skills.

Arthus Kossou – Course Instructor:

The sterile processing department has always been underrated. And it’s so sad because we play a significant role in infection prevention. I think this course is important because they see the significant of the work that they do.

Dr. Aime Roland – Course Participant:

I found the training very enriching since the training is continuous it allows us to improve and that’s what struck me the most. Patient care becomes much simpler when we focus on prevention.

The Global Mercy will begin providing the first surgeries on board in 2023.

About Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class healthcare services, capacity building, and sustainable development to those with little access in the developing world. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 55 developing countries, providing services valued at more than $1.7 billion and directly benefitting more than 2.8 million people. Our ships are crewed by volunteers from over 60 nations, with an average of over 1,200 volunteers each year. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, healthcare trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills. With 16 national offices and an Africa Bureau, Mercy Ships seeks to transform individuals and serve nations one at a time. For more information click on www.mercyships.org.

CONTACT: Diane Rickard, Int’l Media Relations Manager, Mercy Ships, Diane.rickard@mercyships.org

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