Mercy Ships Navigates Ahead in Sierra Leone

Freetown, Sierra Leone- 16 May, 2011 - In its fifth hospital ship visit to Sierra Leone over some two decades, Mercy Ships continues to serve the people of Sierra Leone through provision of surgical and medical services, and through partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone and other health partners to improve strategically identified hospitals within the country. 

Since arriving at the end of February this year, teams from the M/V Africa Mercy have already provided:

• 505 specialized surgeries
• 8,758 dental procedures for 2,675 people and basic oral health education for 2,405
• 1,979 eye evaluations and treatments and 889 refraction/eye exams
• 2 clinicians have received surgical mentoring
• 18 trainees in Orthopaedic Ponseti casting while providing services for 40 patients and 791 Physical Therapy services
• 45 health care professionals, 16 mental health staff and 22 church leaders have received training in mental health evaluation, treatment or counseling
• 15 trainers of trainers from 4 national organizations are receiving training in agriculture production and nutrition
• 10 palliative patients and 13 caregivers are receiving care and support
• 30 health care workers received training in First Aid at a partner agency in Koidu
• 152 patients or caregivers have received community health education at the Mercy Ships H.O.P.E. Center
• Anesthesia conference hosted 79 participants to exchange ideas and learn current developments in anesthesia
• A midwife conference hosted 28 participants to exchange ideas and receive training
• 225 church and community leaders from the Bo area participated in a development conference that explores ideas for community development 

Some of the services and training tied to the presence of the M/V Africa Mercy will continue until the hospital ship departs in December of this year.  Mercy Ships’ collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, health development partners and leadership at strategic hospitals in Sierra Leone to improve services will continue on a multi-year framework thereafter.  Don Stephens, President and Founder of Mercy Ships, stated “Mercy Ships has a long history with Sierra Leone, and looks forward to the opportunities being developed through selective long-term initiatives. There are very promising possibilities to see increased health care delivery for the people of Sierra Leone long after the ship casts off, and well into the future.”

ABOUT MERCY SHIPS: Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class health care services, capacity building and sustainable development to those without access in the developing world.  Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than $834 million, impacting more than 2.9 million direct beneficiaries. Each year Mercy Ships has more than 1,200 volunteers from over 40 nations.  Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, health care trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills to the effort.  Mercy Ships seeks to become the face of love in action, bringing hope and healing to the poor. For more information click on www.mercyships.org

Contact Information:
Claire Bufe, US Public Relations
Claire.bufe@mercyships.org
+ 1 903 939 7017