Medical Education, Training and Advocacy in sub-Saharan Africa

Healthcare Education and Training in sub-Saharan Africa

Mercy Ships designs programmes to bring hope and healing to patients and providers, while strengthening the overall healthcare infrastructure in African nations where there are gaps in surgical systems. Mercy Ships’ programmatic strategy is not just focused on providing free surgeries; equal importance is placed upon providing education and training to professionals across the surgical ecosystem.

Empowering the next generation of healthcare workers

Participants in the Safe Onstetric Anaesthesia course

It’s astounding. Nine out of ten people in sub-Saharan Africa can’t access safe surgery.

If it wasn’t for Mercy Ships, many of our patients might never have had the chance of surgery.

Sadly, we hear this time and time again. This is the surgical crisis. A crisis that has meant that – for generations – children, parents and grandparents have suffered without safe surgery.

Like you, we believe change is possible.

That’s why we partner with hospitals, universities and governments to equip many healthcare professionals to better care for their own communities.

Madagascar: Nutrition and cleft lip training

“I’ve learnt many things here”
Niry, Paediatric Nurse and Nutritionist, Madagascar

Niry is a paediatric nurse and nutritionist in Madagascar. She’s passionate about reducing malnutrition in Malagasy children.

She worked alongside volunteers on board the Africa Mercy to develop her skills in child nutrition.

“Since I have been here, I’ve learnt many things. Many Malagasy people have nutritional problems, especially those who have cleft lip and palate. It’s important to have this training, and also to have sophisticated equipment to help them.”

“For us, to ‘share smiles’ means restoring patients’ smiles so that they can be whole again and go back to their communities.”

Sierra Leone: Surgical care training

“Little drops of water will become a mighty ocean”
Betty Koker, Nurse, Sierra Leone

For Betty, providing quality healthcare to her community is something she feels deep in her heart.

“I remember, I was eight years old when I lost my mum, she died after giving birth. My dad told me it was due to the negligence of the nurses. From that moment, I decided that I would become a nurse so that I can prevent more children from becoming orphans.”

Today, Betty smiles as she serves patients in Connaught Hospital in Sierra Leone.

With the guidance of Mercy Ships nurses, Betty has gained confidence in vital skills such as wound care and infection control.

Betty is hopeful that, thanks to this training, things will change for good.

“I think, it we continue in this way, we are going to save a lot if lives. Things are difficult here, but I know by God’s grace, we can do it.

“We just need to take it small steps at time. Little drops of water will become a mighty ocean. And if we focus on love and compassion, we can do even more.”

Liberia: Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) partnership

“I feel I am being pushed as a surgeon”
Dr Armah Toko Wilson, trainee surgeon, Liberia

Dr Armah Toko Wilson, a final-year student, has received world-class training and invaluable hands-on experience on board the Global Mercy.

Mercy Ships recently began partnering with the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) to improve surgical care where it’s needed most.

Dr Toko says, “I’ve gained many surgical skills, but also the confidence to address complex cases back home.”

With every new procedure Dr Toko masters, he’s determined to return home to train and mentor more surgeons in Liberia, where quality healthcare is badly needed.

“I’m not only being pushed to be a surgeon, but I feel that this is what God has put into my heart.”