The Africa Mercy Returns To Senegal - A Promise Fulfilled

For Mercy Ships patients and partners around the globe, the 1st of February 2022 marked a long-awaited day. The hospital ship Africa Mercy returned to Senegal to continue the work of bring hope and healing to those who needs it most.

In the wake of the pandemic in 2019 the nation of Senegal was left with a strained healthcare system and its people with limited opportunities for surgical care. With fewer than seven physicians to treat every 100,000 people. When the Africa Mercy sailed out of the port of Dakar, the global pandemic not only took resources and capacity but also the hope of so many patients who were given surgery dates on the Africa Mercy.

During the early outbreak of the pandemic, Mercy Ships made the difficult decision to sail the Africa Mercy from Senegal earlier than planned. It was a disappointment to so many of the patients who were already given dates to receive their life-changing surgeries. But Mercy Ships made a promise to the nation of Senegal. A promise to provide hope and healing and return to those in need of safe surgical care, now more than ever. After 22 months of much research, planning, and collaboration with the government of Senegal, it was time to return in February.

The return of the Mercy Ships signifies a promise made and now fulfilled, giving more than a thousand patients back the hope they thought was lost.

As the ship sailed to Granadilla, Spain, a lot of technical work was done on the ship to extend it life-span to another 15 years. Granadilla's experience is a story for another day but we are glad and grateful that the organization has been able to manage resources and the man power to keep the ship running for almost 2 years in a condition it was never planned for.

The excitement seen on the dock as the Africa Mercy sailed into the port of Dakar was just unexplainable. With this return hundreds of patients now hold appointment cards to see the surgical staff on the Africa Mercy and receive a new date for surgery. The hospital on board will again come to life over the next coming weeks. The wards in the hospital will be filled with children and adults who are recovering from a lifesaving or life-changing surgery. The onboard pharmacy, laboratory, rehabilitation, and outpatient rooms will live out their purpose as patients go through the journey to healing. The operating rooms will become spaces for not only transformative surgeries, but vital medical training.

The Africa Mercy is finally back to doing what it is meant to be doing. We thank God for keeping his promise in Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you"

Thanks to those who are partnering with Mercy Ships and it's volunteers that won't be able to do what they are doing without the help of their supporters.

Our hospital is back to life!!!