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The hospital ship Global Mercy, operated by Mercy Ships, has departed Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown to begin its next mission abroad after three consecutive years of field service in Sierra Leone.
During its deployment from 2023 to 2026, the vessel and its teams provided free surgical care, extensive dental services, and professional training that reached thousands across the country.
The Global Mercy’s presence delivered over 5,000 free surgeries, performed 17,110 dental procedures, and trained more than 590 health workers. These interventions targeted a wide range of surgical and dental needs and included hands on training, classroom instruction, and mentorship designed to strengthen local surgical capacity and clinical practice.
Mercy Ships worked in close collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone, local hospitals, and health professionals to ensure services were integrated into national systems.
A Mercy Ships team will remain in Sierra Leone to continue education and training programmes, supporting the sustainability of surgical services and helping to embed new skills within the country’s healthcare workforce.
Beyond clinical numbers, the Global Mercy’s mission left a broader legacy of improved clinical skills, strengthened referral pathways, and enhanced community trust in surgical care. Local health facilities reported better preparedness to manage complex cases, and trainees who completed Mercy Ships programmes are expected to expand access to safe surgery across the country.
Although the Global Mercy has sailed, the bilateral relationship between Mercy Ships and Sierra Leone will continue through ongoing training, follow up support, and collaborative planning for future capacity building initiatives. Officials and health partners say the focus now shifts to consolidating gains, scaling local training, and ensuring long term improvements in surgical care for Sierra Leoneans.
