Collaborate for lasting impact
Mercy Ships supports hospitals, clinics and healthcare professionals in the countries visited by offering them training opportunities and renovating some of their infrastructures.
In this way, we help improve access and quality of healthcare and maximize the impact of our hospital ships long after their departure.
Medical infrastructure renovations
Together with local leaders, governments and the national ministries of health, development teams assess healthcare needs in local hospitals and design and implement renovation projects.
Agriculture training – Food for Life
There can only be good health with a good and balanced nutrition.
Country Partnership Engagement Plan
The COVID-19 crisis around the world has highlighted the importance of a strong healthcare system and prompts us to redouble our efforts to better train local medical personnel.
Phase 1. Collaborative Assessment
Mercy Ships listens, builds relationships, and collaborates with the Presidential Office, Ministry of Health, other departments of the government, and non-governmental organizations in the nations we serve. A collaborative effort has an increased impact. A protocol of commitment is signed, taking into account World Health Organization targets.
An analysis of capacity needs within the local healthcare system is undertaken, establishing where assistance will be most effective. The Assessment Team examines surgical and ancillary service capacity, the port, security, and builds rapport with key stakeholders. An Advance Team enhances the effectiveness of the ship deployment by preparing for the ship’s arrival.
Phase 2. Ship Deployment
For 10 months, a Mercy Ship is docked in the host nation’s port, providing free surgical and dental care for thousands of people, training and mentoring for local healthcare workers, renovations for local facilities, and more.
Phase 3. Training & Support
Project implementers return to understand any challenges faced by local healthcare professionals in implementing learned materials and skills, provide further instruction, as well as offer encouragement and additional input.
On subsequent visits, teams ascertain how the work of Mercy Ships changed the lives of patients and trained healthcare professionals and evaluate the sustained hospital and clinic improvement. Lessons learned are used to inform future work.
A concrete example: Gamal dental school in Guinea
