Mercy Ships, an international medical charity, has returned to Ghana after 19 years to provide free specialised surgeries and dental treatments to thousands of patients.
This is according to a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by Mercy Ships on Thursday.
According to the statement, the organisation’s 10-month field service aboard the Global Mercy, the world’s largest purpose-built civilian hospital ship, has commenced at the Port of Tema.
The ship is expected to remain in Ghana until June 2027, offering between 1,900 and 2,600 surgeries and 1,600 to 2,000 dental treatments at no cost to patients.
The return marks a new chapter in the longstanding partnership between Mercy Ships and the Government of Ghana, which dates back to 1991.
Mercy Ships said the programme would focus on patients facing barriers to surgical care, including the high cost of treatment, geographical access and limited availability of specialist services.
It said the data from the Ghana Health Service showed that Ghana currently had about 200 physician anaesthesiologists and orthopaedic surgeons nationwide, while close to 500 trained dental professionals were in practice.
The medical specialities to be offered during the field service include paediatric orthopaedics, maxillofacial surgery, ophthalmic surgery, reconstructive plastic surgery and general surgery.
One of the first beneficiaries was 59-year-old Samuel, a mechanical fitter from Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, who lost his sight to cataracts in 2025.
Samuel, a widower raising five children alone, said the loss of his sight had made it difficult for him to work and care for his family.
“Now I am unable to do anything, not even work, see at night or see properly during the day,” he said.
Another beneficiary, five-year-old Joseph, underwent surgery for knock knees, a condition his parents first noticed when he was 18 months old.
His mother said the surgery had given the family hope that Joseph would be able to walk properly and enrol in school without fear of being mocked.
Beyond surgery, Mercy Ships said the programme would provide opportunities for between 100 and 250 Ghanaian healthcare professionals to participate in clinical mentoring, education and professional development.
The organisation said its volunteers would work alongside Ghanaian doctors, nurses and other specialists throughout the field service to strengthen the country’s surgical workforce.
It said that it was also collaborating with the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives to support postgraduate education and clinical placements aboard the ship.
Mr Jonathan Ziehli, Mercy Ships Director of Diplomacy, described the return to Ghana as a continuation of a trusted partnership aimed at strengthening the country’s healthcare system.
“Together with the Ministry of Health and our national partners, we are investing, not only in life-changing surgery for today’s patients, but also in stronger surgical systems that will benefit future generations,” Ziehli said.
Since its first visit to Ghana in 1991, Mercy Ships said it had provided 2,670 surgical procedures and more than 18,120 dental procedures, while training more than 2,920 Ghanaian healthcare professionals.
It said the latest intervention was designed to complement Ghana’s national health priorities and support efforts to expand access to safe and affordable surgical care.
Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that provide free surgical and other healthcare services to people with limited access to safe medical care.
It also trains healthcare professionals and supports health infrastructure in African countries.
