The Global Mercy, the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, has arrived at the Port of Tema to begin a 10-month medical mission expected to provide thousands of free surgical and dental procedures to Ghanaians.

The arrival marks the fifth field service by Mercy Ships in Ghana and was welcomed at a ceremony attended by government officials, diplomats, health sector leaders and the ship’s international volunteer crew.

The medical teams are expected to perform between 1,950 and 2,600 free surgeries during the ship’s stay, while between 1,610 and 2,145 dental treatments are also expected to be provided.

The field service will also include training for an estimated 100 to 250 Ghanaian healthcare professionals through clinical placements, education and mentorship aboard the vessel.

Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, said the initiative forms part of a partnership between Ghana and Mercy Ships that has lasted more than 30 years.

He said the current mission was the first since Ghana and Mercy Ships renewed their collaboration in 2025.

According to the Minister, the programme complements Ghana’s National Surgical, Obstetric and Anaesthesia Plan, launched in 2024 to improve access to safe and equitable surgical care.

He said the Global Mercy’s presence should therefore be viewed as part of Ghana’s broader efforts to address gaps in surgical healthcare rather than as an isolated humanitarian intervention.

“It is therefore important that we view the arrival of the Global Mercy not as a stand-alone intervention, but as a collaborative effort to support and accelerate Ghana’s own national priorities,” he said.

Mr Akandoh said the success of the programme would ultimately be measured by its long-term impact on patients, health professionals and healthcare institutions after the ship leaves Ghana.

He also highlighted the role of the HOPE Center, which provides support to patients before and after surgery and creates opportunities for Ghanaian health professionals to work with international medical volunteers.

The Minister commended the ministries, agencies, security services and health institutions involved in preparations for the ship’s arrival.

Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Ships, Dr Michelle White, said the return to Tema was significant because the organisation’s first hospital ship, Anastasis, docked at the port more than three decades ago.

She said Mercy Ships has trained nearly 3,000 Ghanaian healthcare professionals and provided more than 2,500 surgical procedures in Ghana since 1991.

The organisation also supported the Ghana Surgical Dialogue last year, bringing together national and international stakeholders to discuss surgical, obstetric and anaesthesia care.

Dr White said Mercy Ships would work with the Ministry of Health, universities and healthcare institutions to align the current field service with Ghana’s healthcare priorities.

The institutions include the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Ghana College of Nursing and Midwifery, with plans also in place to provide postgraduate training placements aboard the ship.

Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, welcomed the Global Mercy on behalf of the sector and said Ghana’s ports serve as an important gateway to the wider West African sub-region.

He cited neighbouring countries including Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger and assured the ship and its crew of the support of port authorities throughout its stay.

Mercy Ships has conducted 47 field services in 14 African countries since 1990 and has delivered more than 128,800 surgical procedures worldwide.

The organisation says its work has increasingly shifted from direct humanitarian interventions towards long-term strengthening of health systems through partnerships, education and locally led capacity building.

It says the approach is consistent with Ghana’s National Surgical, Obstetric and Anaesthesia Plan.