Mercy Ships is pleased to announce that in early 2022, its hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, will return to a beloved port: Dakar, in the Republic of Senegal. At the invitation of the Senegalese government, led by President H.E. Macky Sall, Mercy Ships will continue this partnership and return to bring hope and healthcare to the people of Senegal.
During this mission, which will last for most of 2022, Mercy Ships will provide free surgery to patients in all 14 regions of the country. Many of these patients have been waiting for the opportunity to receive life-changing care. With the help of our local partners and volunteer professionals from around the world, Mercy Ships is honored to be the answer to this hope and to fulfill our promise to return.
Furthermore, our collaboration with local health professionals aims to further strengthen Senegal's own capacity through training delivered both on board our hospital ship and in hospitals across the country, and to assist the Minister of Health in creating a dynamic national surgical plan.
Health and safety during a new season
During the initial outbreak of the pandemic, Mercy Ships made the difficult decision to end our work in Senegal earlier than planned to protect those both on board our hospital ship and in the country. The decision to return for a mission on the ground comes after much research, planning, and prayer. Mercy Ships is committed to making a safe return for all patients, caregivers, crew, visitors, and partners in Senegal.
How is this safe return being planned?
Mercy Ships is following several procedures and vaccination requirements, which will allow us to operate safely and responsibly while providing life-changing surgery to those who need it most. Some of the COVID-19 protocols in place include:
- Please comply with health and safety measures, including the use of face masks and social distancing, on board our ship.
- Follow the health and safety requirements of the local Ministry of Health.
- Require that all volunteer crew members be fully vaccinated.
- Require and help our day team to be fully vaccinated.
- We are working with the Ministry of Health to provide vaccines to patients and caregivers where possible.
“Mercy Ships is committed to ensuring we can return to Senegal in a COVID-responsible manner. While we know all missions involve some degree of risk, there are several measures we have implemented to reduce that risk while still being able to bring hope and health to the people of Senegal,” says Dr. Miriam John, International Medical Officer for Mercy Ships.
2022 is an especially incredible year for Mercy Ships in many ways. Not only does it mark our return to collaborating in Senegal, but our newest hospital ship, the Global Mercy®, will also be docking in an African port for the first time. In 2022, Mercy Ships will also be celebrating 30 years of working and collaborating in Africa. This will be a wonderful year, and we can't think of a better way to begin this new chapter together.
