WHY DOES MERCY SHIPS EXIST?
Two out of three people in the world lack access to essential surgical care.
In 2010, 32.9% of global deaths resulted from conditions requiring surgery.
Mercy Ships exists to brings help, health services, training and development from our floating hospital to those in need has never mattered more.
About the NGO, Mercy Ships
Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships is a global humanitarian aid organization based on Christian values. Mercy Ships is dedicated to increasing access to healthcare in developing nations.
Through the deployment of the world’s two largest civilian hospital ships, the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy¸ Mercy Ships offers holistic support to developing nations striving to make healthcare accessible for all.
Floating hospitals
Our state-of-the-art ships bring the hospital to those in need. Because over 50% of the world’s population lives within 100 miles of the coast, we’re able to sail modern hospital ships directly to people who lack access to safe, affordable medical care.
During the past 30 years, Mercy Ships has conducted 41 field services in 14 African countries with the 16,572-ton Africa Mercy (with five operating rooms and 80 patient beds) and with the 37,000-ton Global Mercy (with 6 operating rooms and 199 patient beds).
Story of Kadidja, a 4 years old girl born with a cleft lip
At first glance, Kadidja is just like any other child. The 4-year-old girl is happy and energetic. She loves to dance, play, and eat good food. She brightens up any room with her fearless energy and hardly ever stops giggling. But something was holding her back.
When Kadidja’s mother, Ramata, gave birth to her daughter, the doctor who assisted the delivery noticed that the baby had come into the world with a cleft lip. Knowing that there was nothing he could do for the little girl, the doctor told Ramata about Mercy Ships.
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