My February 2023 return to Senegal for the Grand Opening of the GLM Ship Hospital



The Global Mercy surgical ship arrived in Dakar, Senegal to live out her mission of providing hope and healing to nations with limited surgical capacity. Dr. Juliette Tuakli, Mercy Ships' Diplomatic Ambassador for Africa, said at the arrival ceremony: "For the first time in Mercy Ship's history, two nations will be served from one port. Mercy Ships is grateful that Senegal, in the true spirit of Teranga, has opened its border to a selective group of patients from The Gambia who will be served alongside patients from Senegal." After my many months in Tenerife, during the equipping phase of the Global Mercy ship, it is an amazing experience to return to Senegal with a fully operating hospital. 



A pediatric hospital bed which is now a place for a young patient during our field service time in Senegal. Watching the patients and their families walk up the gangway is a powerful experience. The Global Mercy ship has 6 surgical theaters with the technology found in a large USA hospital. It is possible to provide excellent services because of the real time consultation which occurs with medical professionals around the world. The availability of medical care is also a concern in the world with one of the highest needs for help being the West Africa region. Globally, 5 billion people lack access to safe surgery.

We are a global village on the ship. There are over 40 nationalities working as volunteers. The Global Mercy ship has approximately 500 crew living on the ship with people working in various roles from hospital care providers to housekeeping.  There are another 150 crew joining the ship community each day from Senegal and The Gambia. The day crew are in training programs such as hotel management, galley, and hospital chaplaincy for interpretation. 



Meet 4-year-old Amadou, the very first Patient to receive surgery!






Amadou, and his caregiver, Mariatou, have taken the first steps toward surgical hope and healing. The Mercy Ships Country Engagement team helped the child and caregiver travel the 400-mile journey, across Senegal, for a surgery not available to him in his country. 

Approximately, one thousand more patients will follow Amadou's journey to the Global Mercy ship to receive life altering surgery over the next four months in Senegal. 









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