Dr Michelle White
Chief Executive Officer
About Mercy Ships
An international charity operating hospital ships, staffed by volunteers, working at the invitation of African nations since 1978.
Mercy Ships provides free surgical care to people who cannot otherwise reach it, and trains local healthcare professionals in partnership with African nations.
What Mercy Ships does
Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that dock in African port cities and provide surgical care free of charge to the patients we serve. Alongside the surgery, we train and mentor local healthcare professionals and support the hospitals and clinics where they work.
The organisation has been doing this since 1978.
How we work with countries
Mercy Ships does not decide where to go on its own. Every field service takes place at the invitation of a national government and is agreed with its health ministry, which shapes where the greatest need lies and how the work fits alongside existing services.
Local surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and dental professionals work aboard the ships, and Mercy Ships crews work in local hospitals. The relationship is intended to run in both directions.
A volunteer organisation
The people who perform the surgery, nurse the patients, sail the ship, cook the meals and teach the crew's children are volunteers. Most contribute towards the cost of being on board.
Crew come from around 60 countries, and roughly 200 different roles are needed to keep a hospital ship running.
Our Christian foundation
Mercy Ships was founded on Christian faith, and that remains explicit rather than historical. Crew worship together and faith is openly part of life on board.
Care is given without condition. Patients are treated according to medical need, whatever they believe, and are never asked to take part in anything religious in order to receive treatment.
How we are funded and governed
Mercy Ships is funded by donations from individuals, churches, companies, foundations and institutions. It is registered as a charity in a number of countries, each of which publishes its own annual financial reporting under local regulation.
What we do not claim
Two ships cannot solve a shortage of surgeons across a continent, and Mercy Ships does not present itself as doing so. The work is intended to treat people who would otherwise go untreated, and to leave behind more trained professionals than were there before.
Common questions about Mercy Ships
When was Mercy Ships founded?
Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has operated hospital ships providing free surgical care ever since.
How many ships does Mercy Ships operate?
Two: the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy. Both are staffed by volunteer crews and carry full surgical hospitals.
Is Mercy Ships a religious organisation?
Mercy Ships is a Christian organisation. Surgical care is provided according to medical need regardless of a patient's faith, and no patient is required to participate in anything religious to receive treatment.
Are the crew paid?
No. Crew serve as volunteers and in most cases contribute towards their own crew fees and travel. This is a substantial part of why donations fund an unusual amount of surgery.
How does Mercy Ships choose which countries to visit?
Mercy Ships works only where it is invited. A field service follows an agreement with the national government and its health ministry, which determines where the need is greatest and how the work fits with existing services.
Global Leadship Team
Global Leadership Team
Gary Brown
Chair, Mercy Ships International Board
Don Stephens
Founder