Life-changing surgery in Africa
A surgery can change what comes next.
Mercy Ships provides free, specialized surgical care on board hospital ships, working alongside African nations to help people access the treatment they need.
When safe surgery is out of reach
For someone living with a treatable condition, access to safe surgery can mean more than medical treatment. It can mean seeing again, walking without pain, returning to school or work, and reconnecting with family and community.
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9 out of 10 people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to surgery they need
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2 per 100,000 Specialist surgical, anaesthetic and obstetric providers in Sub-Saharan Africa
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40M+ surgical needs are estimated to go unmet in Africa each year
Imagine knowing that treatment exists, but being unable to access it.
Distance, cost and limited specialist care can put surgery beyond reach. For someone living with a treatable condition, that can affect health, independence, relationships and the future they imagined. Surgery can change that.
Every surgery has a story
Surgery that opens new possibilities
Mercy Ships provides free, specialized surgery on board our hospital ships, working alongside African healthcare partners to help people access care that might otherwise be beyond their reach.
See Again
Ophthalmic Surgery
Cataract and other eye procedures can restore sight, helping people regain independence and reconnect with the world around them.
Move More Freely
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
For children living with severe orthopedic conditions, surgery and rehabilitation can improve mobility, opening possibilities to walk without pain, play and return to school.
Eat, Speak and Smile More Easily
Maxillofacial Surgery
Specialized surgery treats conditions such as facial tumors, cleft lip and palate, helping restore essential functions and supporting people as they return to everyday life.
Regain Movement
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Burn contractures and other conditions can severely restrict movement. Reconstructive surgery can release contractures, restore function and help people regain independence.
Find Relief From a Treatable Condition
General Surgery
Treatment for conditions including hernias and goitres can relieve pain and help prevent further complications.
Restore Health and Dignity
Women's Health Surgery
Specialized surgical care supports women living with conditions including childbirth-related injuries, alongside recovery, education and social support.
Find Comfort and Dignity
Palliative Care
When surgery is no longer possible, compassionate palliative care can help relieve suffering and support patients and their families through physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs.
Live Free From Dental Pain
Oral Health & Dental Care
Access to dental care can relieve pain, treat infection and prevent more serious health problems. Mercy Ships provides free dental treatment while promoting oral health through education and training.
Find Support and Connection
Mental Health & Emotional Support
Emotional and mental wellbeing can be an important part of a person's journey. Compassionate support helps patients and families navigate fear, isolation and the emotional challenges that can come with illness and treatment. Mercy Ships' global mission page includes mental health within its broader medical-care model.
More than an operation
Surgery is one moment in a much bigger journey. From finding care to returning home, patients are supported through each step of treatment, recovery and healing.
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Finding care
The journey begins by connecting people who need surgery with Mercy Ships and finding out whether the specialized care available on board is right for them.
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Preparing
Each patient is assessed and supported as they prepare for treatment.
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Receiving surgery
On board the hospital ship, patients receive safe, specialized surgical care from experienced medical teams — free of charge.
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Recovering
After surgery, care continues. Patients are supported as they heal, regain strength and take the first steps towards what comes next.
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Rehabilitation
For patients who need it, physiotherapy and rehabilitation help restore movement, strength and function — supporting their journey back to everyday life.
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Going home
When they are ready, patients return to their families and communities — often able to get back to the people, activities and possibilities they had been missing.
A safe place to recover
For some patients, recovery means staying close to the ship a little longer. Mercy Ships' HOPE Centers provide a safe place to stay before or after treatment, with access to care and support while patients prepare to return home. Because care doesn't end when surgery does.
Behind every surgery is a team caring for one person.
Surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, physical therapists, and other specialists bring their expertise on board our hospital ships, working alongside local healthcare professionals and partners throughout the patient's care journey.
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An african surgeon, not an african beneficiary
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The hospital can’t get there without the ship
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The hospital needs engineers too
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A front-row seat to healing
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Bringing her skills home
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He came for one week. Then everything changed.
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The ship that inspired his career became his mission
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Two weeks of annual leave, spent operating
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The teacher behind the volunteers
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Her skills keep surgery working
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She grew up on board. Then came back as a nurse.
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She came on board as an electrician. It changed where her career could go.
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Helping patients take the next step
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A few weeks. For more than 20 years.
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Her engineering career started somewhere unexpected
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He almost didn't apply
You can't change the whole world, but you can change the world for one person.
Surgery today. Expertise for tomorrow.
Surgery can change what comes next for someone waiting for care today. Alongside that care, training and mentoring help healthcare professionals strengthen expertise that can reach many more patients in the future.
FAQ
What types of surgery does Mercy Ships offer?
Mercy Ships provides free, specialized surgical care, including maxillofacial, ophthalmic, general, reconstructive plastic, pediatric orthopedic, and women’s health surgery. The surgical programs offered may vary depending on the needs identified in each host country.
Is surgery free?
Yes. Patients receive surgery from Mercy Ships free of charge. Our hospital ships bring specialized medical teams, equipment, and facilities to countries where access to safe surgical care can be limited.
How are patients selected?
Mercy Ships works with local healthcare professionals and partners to identify potential patients. Medical teams then assess each person to determine whether their condition can be safely treated within the surgical programs available during that field service.
Where does surgery take place?
Surgery is performed on board the Global Mercy™ and Africa Mercy® while the ships are docked in partner nations.
What happens after surgery?
Care doesn't end in the operating room. Depending on their individual needs, patients may receive postoperative nursing care, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and recovery support. Some patients also stay at a Mercy Ships HOPE Center near the ship before or after treatment.
Help make the next surgery possible
For someone waiting for care, surgery can change what comes next. Your support can help make free, specialized surgical care possible, giving someone the opportunity to heal, regain independence and return to the people and possibilities waiting for them.
