AYV News, June 17, 2026
The Ministry of Health has officially bid farewell to the Global Mercy Ship following the conclusion of its three-year humanitarian mission in Sierra Leone.
The farewell ceremony took place at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Cline Town, Freetown, where the Deputy Minister of Health I, joined the management and local staff of Mercy Ships as the vessel prepared to depart the country.
Since arriving in Sierra Leone in 2023, the Global Mercy Ship has played a significant role in strengthening healthcare delivery and improving the lives of thousands of citizens through its partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Health.
During its mission, the ship provided free specialized surgical services to more than 5,000 patients, offering life-changing medical interventions to individuals who otherwise would have had limited access to such care.
In addition to direct healthcare services, Mercy Ships made substantial investments in the development of Sierra Leone’s health workforce. More than 590 healthcare professionals received training in critical areas including nurse anaesthesia, biomedical technology, and dental education, contributing to long-term improvements in the country’s healthcare system.
The humanitarian mission also delivered more than 17,000 dental procedures, helping to address unmet oral healthcare needs in communities across the country.
Speaking during the farewell event, Ministry officials commended Mercy Ships for its outstanding contribution to the health sector and acknowledged the organization’s role in strengthening healthcare capacity nationwide.
Although the Global Mercy Ship has departed Sierra Leone’s shores, officials emphasised that the partnership between Mercy Ships and the Ministry of Health remains active. The Mercy Ships Country Director and local staff will continue collaborating with the Ministry on health system strengthening, professional development, and capacity-building initiatives.
The Ministry of Health expressed gratitude to Mercy Ships for its dedicated service and reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the longstanding partnership in pursuit of improved healthcare services and better health outcomes for all Sierra Leoneans.
