By: Celestine Avi and Seth Eyiah
Mercy Ships International says its mission in Ghana will provide free specialist surgeries and dental treatment to thousands of Ghanaians, with a particular focus on people in rural communities who may otherwise have limited access to such care.
Speaking during President John Dramani Mahama’s visit to the Global Mercy at the Tema Harbour, Dame Anne Gloag, Lifetime Director of Mercy Ships International, said the organisation has already performed surgeries on about 200 patients since the Global Mercy arrived in Ghana, with another 2,200 surgeries and 3,500 dental treatments expected during the mission.
She said the mission is fundamentally about ensuring that people who cannot afford or access specialist treatment have the opportunity to receive life-changing medical care at no cost.
Dame Anne expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for his strong support in bringing the hospital ship to Ghana, saying the President understood the urgency and worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate its arrival within a short timeframe.
She also acknowledged the support of the Minister for Health and other government officials who assisted with the arrangements, while joking that her numerous requests for assistance would continue.
Dame Anne further commended the volunteers supporting the mission, particularly the Ghanaian volunteers who have been associated with Mercy Ships from its earlier missions and continue to play an important role onboard the Global Mercy.
She said the organisation was looking forward to an intensive period of medical intervention as it works to reach thousands more patients during its stay in Ghana.
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