Mercy Ships caps landmark year of surgical impact across Africa
Mercy Ships concluded a landmark year of service as its two hospital ships, the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy, delivered care in two countries for the second straight year. The organization expanded surgical access, reinforced partnerships with African governments, and advanced long-term efforts to strengthen local healthcare systems.
Throughout the year, more than 3,240 international volunteers from over 75 countries served alongside more than 2,120 national crew members. Medical professionals, engineers, technicians, and support staff worked together to provide safe, free surgical care to communities with limited access to essential health services.
By year’s end, more than 2,850 patients had received over 3,060 surgeries across both ships. Procedures ranged from maxillofacial and orthopedic operations to cataract removal and women’s health care, restoring mobility, sight, and dignity for thousands of patients.
Lives changed through surgery and service
Among the volunteers in 2025 was Dr. Justina Seyi-Olajide, the first female African pediatric surgeon to serve with Mercy Ships. A practicing surgeon in Nigeria, she brought firsthand experience of the region’s urgent surgical needs and emphasized the importance of African professionals helping drive change from within their own communities.
One of the year’s most powerful patient stories involved a blind mother and daughter who had lived for years without sight due to advanced cataracts. After undergoing surgery on board, both regained their vision and were able to see each other for the first time in years, a moment emblematic of Mercy Ships’ mission.
Beyond surgery, the organization continued its focus on education and training. More than 838 healthcare professionals from 13 African nations completed programs totaling over 228,000 hours, building skills that will strengthen surgical care long after the ships depart.
Building systems and partnerships for the future
Mercy Ships deepened collaborations with academic institutions, including a partnership in Guinea that expanded access to oral healthcare. Through local training efforts, thousands of dental procedures were delivered by newly equipped professionals, extending care beyond the ships themselves.
The organization also supported national healthcare planning efforts, contributing to the advancement of surgical, obstetric, and anesthesia strategies in Sierra Leone. These initiatives aligned with broader African-led platforms focused on strengthening health systems and national ownership.
Operationally, the Africa Mercy entered an extended maintenance period to undergo upgrades that will enhance future surgical capacity ahead of its planned return to Madagascar in 2026. The Global Mercy is scheduled to complete its current service in Sierra Leone before continuing operations in Ghana later in the year.
Mercy Ships also marked a leadership transition, welcoming Dr. Michelle White as its new CEO. With experience in the medical field and firsthand service aboard the ships, she brings operational insight and a patient-centered perspective to the role.
As 2025 closes, Mercy Ships reflects on a year defined by collaboration, compassion, and measurable impact. With strong partnerships and sustained volunteer support, the organization moves into 2026 focused on expanding access to safe, free surgical care across Africa.
