Bringing Surgery, Training and Hope to Africa
The Need for safe surgery in sub-Saharan Africa
In sub-Saharan Africa, a treatable condition can become life-limiting simply because safe surgery is out of reach. Distance, cost, limited specialist care and overstretched health services can stand between people and the treatment they need. Mercy Ships works alongside African nations, bringing together hospital ships, skilled volunteers and local partnerships to provide free surgery and help strengthen healthcare for the future.
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93% of people lack access to the surgery
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Fewer than 1 surgeon per 100,000 people (WHO-recommended 20-40 surgeons per 100,000 people
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40M+ surgical needs are estimated to go unmet in Africa each year
Serving where the need is greatest
Mercy Ships has focused primarily on sub-Saharan Africa since 1998, where the need for safe surgical care is particularly significant. With many communities within reach of the coast, hospital ships provide a unique way to bring surgical facilities, skilled professionals and training directly to port cities.
Two ways we help create lasting change
Mercy Ships responds to immediate surgical needs while investing in healthcare expertise for the future.
Life-Changing Surgery
Care for the person waiting today.
- Mercy Ships works alongside healthcare professionals through hands-on training, mentoring and education designed to strengthen skills and knowledge that can benefit many more patients.
- NEED TO HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF A CTA: Discover Life-Changing Surgery
Training & Education
Building expertise for the patients of tomorrow.
- Mercy Ships works alongside healthcare professionals through hands-on training, mentoring and education designed to strengthen skills and knowledge that can benefit many more patients.
- NEED TO HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF A CTA: Explore Training & Education
Surgery Today. Stronger Healthcare Tomorrow.
Through collaboration with governments, hospitals, universities and healthcare professionals, these two pillars contribute to a broader goal: strengthening surgical care so progress can continue beyond the time our ships are in port. Mercy Ships' current mission content explicitly positions training, tools, infrastructure and education as the way healing continues after a ship departs.
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Two Hospital Ships. One Mission.
The Africa Mercy® and Global Mercy® bring modern surgical facilities, skilled volunteers and healthcare training directly to African nations — providing free, life-changing surgery while helping strengthen surgical care for the future.
Global Mercy
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6 operating theatres
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199 patient beds
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640 crew capacity
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174 m long
Africa Mercy
Serving African nations since 2007, the Africa Mercy® is a fully equipped hospital ship providing free specialized surgery and healthcare training in partnership with the countries she serves.
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5 operating theatres
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85 patient beds
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470 crew capacity
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152 m long
Power by volunteeers
From surgeons and nurses to engineers, cooks, teachers, technicians and maritime crew, volunteers bring the skills needed to operate our ships and deliver care. Each year, thousands of professionals from around the world choose to serve.
Built on Partnership
Mercy Ships works alongside host governments, Ministries of Health, hospitals, universities, healthcare professionals, local teams, donors and partners. Together, we identify priorities, share expertise and create programs designed around local needs.
From Invitation to Care
01 — Invitation & Partnership 02 — Understanding Local Needs 03 — Preparing Together 04 — Surgery & Training 05 — Continuing the Partnership
Why Mercy Ships?
For more than 45 years, Mercy Ships has shown what can happen when people bring their skills, generosity and compassion together. Guided by our mission to bring hope and healing, we use hospital ships to provide free surgical care while working alongside African partners to strengthen healthcare for the future.
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Our Mission
We follow the 2,000-year-old model of Jesus, bringing hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor.
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Our Vision
We use hospital ships to transform lives and serve nations.
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Our Values
We seek to love God, love and serve others, demonstrate integrity, and strive for excellence in all we do.
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FAQ
What does Mercy Ships do in Africa?
Mercy Ships partners with African nations to provide free, specialized surgery aboard hospital ships, train healthcare professionals and support stronger surgical care for the future.
Why does Mercy Ships use hospital ships?
Hospital ships provide a safe, well-equipped surgical environment that brings specialized medical teams, equipment and training facilities directly to African port cities.
Why does Mercy Ships focus on Africa?
Mercy Ships focuses primarily on sub-Saharan Africa, where access to safe surgical care remains extremely limited. Mercy Ships works at the invitation of host nations and alongside local partners to respond to identified healthcare priorities.
Does Mercy Ships only provide surgery?
No. Mercy Ships combines free surgical care with healthcare training, mentoring and partnerships designed to strengthen surgical services and local expertise.
Who works aboard Mercy Ships?
Volunteer medical professionals serve alongside maritime crew, engineers, technicians, teachers, cooks, administrators and many other specialists who help operate the hospital ships.
How can I help Mercy Ships?
You can support Mercy Ships by donating, volunteering your professional skills, partnering with the organization or helping raise awareness of its mission.