Hospital Hospitality

The Hospitality Centre, situated about two miles from where the Africa Mercy is docked, opened its doors the first week in March.

The 40-bed facility offers overnight provision for up to 90 patients awaiting surgeries and other procedures.  It also provides on-land office space for eye services and other programmes.

During its first week of operation, the Centre handled pre-op and post-op services for 240 eye patients. Eighty of those patients were receiving cataract surgery.

Eye Specialist Woody Hopper, who heads the eye services office, estimates that 1600 eye patients will utilise the facility during this field service.

Surrounded by a gated cement wall, the Hospitality Centre is a peaceful oasis in the middle of the tumultuous city of Lomé.  The Togolese government is allowing Mercy Ships to use one wing of the clinic for the duration of the Togo Field Service.  It is housed in a government-owned clinic that is being transformed into a hospital. 

Mercy Ships workers have replaced the leaky roof, installed electricity and air-conditioning, and done a thorough cleaning. The result is a sanitary, up-to-date, and pleasant environment for patients awaiting medical services.

The Hospitality Centre is under the supervision of Mark Palmer, Land-Based Programme Manager. The management team Barry and Cheryl Wells, Chris Coburn, and Ellen DePagter share the workload. They are assisted by 22 day-volunteers, divided into teams to do maintenance, drive the shuttles, and assist guests.

On the Centre’s opening day, 30 patients received pre-op services before Dr. Glenn Strauss performed their eye surgeries onboard the Africa Mercy. They returned to the Centre for post-op care, including instructions and eye care products.

One eye patient, Kossi Diabo, smiled widely.  “I am very happy to be here this morning to get healing from God and thank Mercy Ships for what they are doing.  First, I can't see anything. Now, I can see!  May God encourage you and give you strength.”