Mercy ship, an International humanitarian non-governmental organisation has unveiled its new hospital ship, the Global Mercy.

The initiative which will join the Africa Mercy, strives to increase access to safe and quality surgical care in Africa since 2007.

Director of the Mercy Ships Africa Bureau, Dr Pierre M'Pelé, said the Global Mercy is scheduled to begin service in Africa in 2021 and relays the cry from the hearts of Africans who say "Thank you to Mercy Ships.”

Every year, 16.9 million people around the world die due to lack of access to surgical care and 93% of sub-Saharan Africa still lack this access.

Between 1990 and 2020, Mercy Ships has performed more than 100,000 free surgical procedures, trained more than 40,000 medical professionals, renovated more than 100 health facilities, and implemented more than 1,000 community projects in Africa.

The Global Mercy will be more than double the impact of Mercy Ships on the African continent.

Since 1990, Mercy Ships has brought hope and healing to the African people and has conducted more than 30 humanitarian missions in 14 African countries (Benin, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Congo, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Madagascar, Sierra Leone, Senegal, South Africa, Togo).

President for Mercy Ships, Rosa Whitaker said there is a greater need to provide accessible, life-saving surgical care, especially amid a pandemic.

“As covid-19 threatens the stability of already fragile healthcare systems globally, the need to provide accessible, life-saving surgical care is greater than ever,” she said.

 “The Global Mercy represents a unique call to support the strengthening of healthcare systems in Africa on behalf of the most vulnerable,” she added.

The Global Mercy is a modern, state-of-the-art hospital ship, equipped with six surgical operating rooms.

A specialised training platform will also be provided for African surgeons, obstetricians, dentists, and anesthesiologists, including a simulation laboratory for surgical and post-operative care.