Welcoming Mercy Ships… VP Juldeh Jalloh Reaffirms Government’s Commitment to Healthcare Transformation
By Amin Kef- Ranger
Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment to transforming the nation’s healthcare system as he formally welcomed the Global Mercy, the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, marking its third consecutive field service in the country.
Speaking during a welcoming ceremony in Freetown, Dr. Jalloh hailed the visit as a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s enduring partnership with Mercy Ships, a global non-governmental organization dedicated to providing free, safe surgical care and medical capacity building in developing countries.
“This morning, I formally welcomed the Global Mercy, marking its eighth voyage to our shores since 1992,” the Vice President announced. “Mercy Ships’ vision of restoring dignity and hope through life-saving surgical interventions resonates deeply with our people. In Sierra Leone alone, more than 3,600 surgeries were conducted during their last two field visits—each one a story of a life transformed.”
Dr. Jalloh emphasized that the work of Mercy Ships is fully aligned with the Government’s comprehensive healthcare reform agenda, which focuses on strengthening the health workforce, upgrading medical infrastructure, improving access to essential medicines and equipment, and delivering world-class diagnostic and treatment services.
He assured Mercy Ships and its partners of the Government’s support, noting that their interventions will be integrated into Sierra Leone’s long-term strategy for building a resilient and equitable healthcare system.
After a brief maintenance stop in Cádiz, Spain, the Global Mercy has returned to Sierra Leone for a ten-month deployment, during which it will deliver specialized surgeries and hands-on medical training. Since 2023, the ship has conducted over 3,630 free surgical procedures for 3,240 individuals, while advancing surgical system strengthening through medical education and training programs.
Suzanne Thomas, Programs Director at Mercy Ships, highlighted the long-term value of the partnership:
“We are excited to expand learning opportunities aboard the Global Mercy and deepen our support for service development at Connaught Hospital, in collaboration with the University of Sierra Leone.”
To date, Mercy Ships has delivered over 63,000 hours of training to more than 290 Sierra Leonean healthcare professionals, equipping local doctors, nurses, and anesthetists with the skills needed to ensure lasting progress.
Dr. Sandra Lako, Country Director for Mercy Ships in Sierra Leone, emphasized the shared vision of sustainable development:
“The return of the Global Mercy is more than a medical mission—it reflects a joint commitment with the Ministry of Health to bridge critical gaps in surgical care. Beyond surgeries, we are investing in people—the professionals who will carry this work forward long after the ship departs.”
During its stay, the Global Mercy will provide a wide range of specialized surgical services, including maxillofacial, pediatric, orthopedic, reconstructive, general, and ophthalmic surgeries. The deployment will also feature accredited training programs delivered in collaboration with Sierra Leonean institutions.
In his closing remarks, Vice President Jalloh expressed gratitude for Mercy Ships’ consistent partnership and underscored the broader impact of their mission:
“The continued presence of Mercy Ships in Sierra Leone is both a sign of confidence and a testament to our shared commitment. Together, we are not only transforming lives today but building a healthcare system that will serve future generations.”
