An initiative between MSC Group, MSC Foundation, and the charity Mercy Ships International is paving the way for the construction of a new hospital ship that will deliver free surgery and training to people in Africa.
Gianluigi Aponte, MSC Group and MSC Foundation chairperson; Diego Aponte, MSC Group President and Member of the MSC Foundation Board; and Don Stephens, Mercy Ships Founder, finalised the agreement to kickstart the project with an anchor donation from the MSC Foundation on April 8.
“I spent part of my childhood and early years in the shipping industry in the Horn of Africa. It is a region close to my heart. I saw first-hand the challenges faced by many local communities there and this shaped my conviction that improving the availability of healthcare would bring real and lasting impact for them,” said Aponte.
“It has been extremely gratifying to work with Don and provide this crucial support through his unique organisation Mercy Ships. Our partnership has reaped extraordinary results already and now we are on the verge of expanding their fleet to increase this support. I truly look forward to seeing this new ship set sail to help more communities across Africa,” he added.
Since its founding in 1978, Mercy Ships has provided more than 117 000 transformational specialised surgical procedures. These surgeries include maxillofacial reconstructions, contracture release for severe burns, correction for orthopaedic problems in children, cleft lip and palate repair, ophthalmology, and dental services.
Mercy Ships, an NGO, is also committed to boosting the capacities of local healthcare systems through sustainably designed surgical education, training, and advocacy programmes. It has provided additional training to more than 54 300 local professionals in their areas of expertise.
Expanding its fleet with a new purpose-built hospital ship, designed to similar specifications as the Global Mercy, will allow the charity to increase its capacity to collaborate with host nations in training and advocacy efforts.
The new ship will feature living spaces to accommodate approximately 600 crew members and guests on board. Its hospital will span two decks and 7 000sqm, featuring six operating rooms, a fully equipped laboratory, and state-of-the-art training spaces such as a simulation lab. This makes it possible for Mercy Ships to strengthen local surgical systems during its time in port, typically a 10-month field service.
Mercy Ships CEO Gert van de Weerdhof said the new vessel would transport state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to support nations the charity served.
“This new vessel and her future crew will enable us to meet surgical needs, while supporting host nations as they develop healthcare systems with their next generation of medical professionals,” said Van de Weerdhof.
Daniela Picco, MSC Foundation Executive Director, said the foundation’s donations had supported the charity since 2011. She is proud of the impact its free services and training has had on 18 000 medical professionals and community leaders, as well as on 30 300 patients through 33 200 surgeries over this time.
“When the discussion started with Mercy Ships Founder Don Stephens to build a new ship together, I was delighted to facilitate this game-changing commitment to accompany Mercy Ships in the coming decades,” said Picco.
