By: Celestine Avi and Seth Eyiah
President John Dramani Mahama has called for the Mercy Ships mission in Ghana to go beyond providing free specialist surgeries, urging stronger collaboration between the organisation and Ghana’s health sector to ensure lasting benefits for patients and the country’s healthcare system.
The President said the Global Mercy is giving hope to patients who might otherwise be unable to afford or access specialist treatment, particularly children whose lives are being transformed through life-changing surgeries.
Speaking during an inspection and tour of the hospital ship at the Tema Harbour, President Mahama said he was deeply moved by the smiles of children who had undergone surgery and the gratitude of their mothers.
He recounted seeing photographs of children before their operations, including those with curved legs and clubfoot, and noted the difference the surgeries could make to their confidence and ability to return to school, play and participate fully in everyday life.
President Mahama described Mercy Ships as a “floating vessel” of mercy and humanism, expressing gratitude to its donors, medical teams, crew, volunteers and Ghanaian partners for bringing specialist care to patients at no cost.
He said bringing the Global Mercy to Ghana had involved complex arrangements and several conditions that had to be met, commending Dame Anne Gloag, the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister for Finance and other stakeholders for their efforts.
The President stressed that the value of the mission must extend beyond the period the Global Mercy remains in Ghana.
He called for closer collaboration between Mercy Ships and Ghanaian health professionals through training, patient referrals and follow-up care, stressing that patients must continue to receive safe and appropriate care after the vessel leaves.
Ghanaian surgeons, anaesthesia professionals, nurses and other health workers are expected to work alongside the Mercy Ships medical team, providing opportunities for knowledge and skills transfer.
President Mahama also urged the Ministry of Health and relevant agencies to ensure that patient movement, medical supplies and other operational arrangements are handled promptly and in accordance with Ghanaian law.
He said the specialist services provided by Mercy Ships complement government’s efforts to expand free primary healthcare, strengthen the National Health Insurance Programme and invest in hospitals and health workers.
Mercy Ships has previously served Ghana on four occasions since 1991, delivering more than 2,600 surgeries and 16,700 dental procedures, while supporting the development of 139 Ghanaian health professionals.
The current mission will provide specialist care for conditions including cataracts, cleft lips and palates, tumours and childhood orthopaedic conditions.
President Mahama welcomed Mercy Ships back to Ghana and expressed confidence that the mission would make a lasting difference in the lives of patients while contributing to the strengthening of the country’s health system.
