Global Mercy, a hospital ship operated by global health charity Mercy Ships, arrived at the Port of Tema in Ghana earlier this week to mark the beginning of a 10-month field service in the country in partnership with the Government of Ghana.
The field service period will see the ship offer free surgical care on board for local residents.
Mercy Ships said that although Ghana has one of the strongest healthcare systems in West Africa, millions of people still face barriers to timely, safe, and affordable surgical care.
"Surgical specialists remain unevenly distributed, and district hospitals continue to face capacity challenges," Mercy Ships said in a press release following Global Mercy's arrival in Tema. "This means many patients live with easily treatable conditions because surgery remains beyond their reach."
This is Mercy Ships’ fifth field service in Ghana and will combine free specialised surgery with education, mentoring, and workforce development. Patients from across the country have been invited to apply for free specialised surgical care, including cleft lip and palate repair, tumour removal, cataract surgery, reconstructive plastic surgery, obstetric fistula repair, paediatric orthopaedic surgery, and general surgery.
Delivered in 2021, Global Mercy is the world's largest civilian hospital ship with a length of 174 metres, a gross tonnage of 37,000, and space for up to 199 patients.
Patient beds are distributed among separate sections for 102 acute care patients, seven ICU patients, and 90 self-care patients.
Facilities are also available for pre-operative and post-operative work. Such facilities include X-ray and CT scan rooms, a screening/admissions centre, a rehab centre, and outpatient care centres.
The ship is also fitted with cranes for taking on containers with provisions, vehicles, and other equipment needed for periods of as long as 10 months in port.