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Pascal Andreasson, Head of Marketing for Mercy Ships in Sweden
Don Stephens and his wife, Deyon, had a vision: to create a floating hospital that would deliver medical care to the world’s poorest and neediest. That was back in 1978. And now, nearly 40 years later, Mercy Ships is still doing exactly that. The Africa Mercy is the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, bringing volunteer medical teams and sterile operating rooms directly to people who would otherwise be without care – free of charge.
A lot of people in Africa have little or no access to healthcare. There are only 2.5 physicians per 10,000 people in Africa, compared to 33.3 physicians per 10,000 in Europe. Since 50% of the population lives within 100 miles of the coast, Mercy Ships is able to sail a modern hospital ship with a crew of 400 volunteers directly to people who lack access to first- rate medical care. And with world-class surgeons on board specializing in treating a number of conditions such as cleft palates, the care Mercy Ships provides is indeed first-rate. The organization is also committed to advancing preventive healthcare through training and developing local resources.
The Africa Mercy is currently docked in Cameroon, a country struggling to meet the healthcare needs of its population. With just one doctor for approximately every 12,000 inhabitants, Camaroon’s situation is truly dire.
Throughout its 39-year history, Mercy Ships has had between one and four ships in service at any given time. Though the Africa Mercy is the only one in service today, its capacity is greater than all the organization’s other hospital ships combined. In addition to the state-of-the-art medical facility, it has 126 cabins, a school, a hairdressing salon, a small shop, and even a donated café.
But the heart of the ship is her crew, a diverse group of up to 400 volunteers from around 40 different nations. Some are on board for more than a year and others for only a couple of weeks. There are individuals, couples and even entire families. But there are no hierarchies. Everyone on board understands the urgency of their mission and works tirelessly toward the same goal: to deliver care to those in need.
Pascal Andreasson, Head of Marketing for Mercy Ships in Sweden
To ensure they have a lasting impact, Mercy Ships runs many training programs for healthcare workers and has started several clinics, which they turn over to local communities at the end of their stay. One great example is the Ponesti Center they started in Benin to treat children with clubfeet. Their recent work in Madagascar is another great example. Between 2014 and 2016, the organization trained over 1,500 doctors and nurses, renovated several hospital buildings and operation theaters in Tamatave and left behind both a Ponseti Center and a fistula clinic to care for women who have faced difficult childbirths.
Mercy Ships has spent 25 of the last 39 years in West Africa, learning, teaching and building relationships. Looking to the future, they plan to grow and evolve. They’re committed to adding a second ship to their fleet, for example (which Caterpillar Marine will proudly help equip). But as Mercy Ships sees it, their work is about so much more than just the vessel. It’s about delivering care – and about passing on the vital tools that will allow struggling nations to take better care of their own. For Mercy Ships, that mission will never change.
