What we do

Tragically, every year, 17 million people die from conditions that surgery could have healed. That is why Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver world-class healthcare where it is needed most.

Mercy Ships supporters like you save and change thousands of lives every year and work to tackle this surgery crisis. Watch the video above to find out exactly how we do it.

Together, we tackle the crisis by:

1. Reducing the strain on fragile healthcare systems by performing as many life-saving and changing surgeries as possible.
2. Training and mentoring local healthcare professionals to equip them with the skills they need.
3. Renovating local facilities and donating new medical equipment.

Mercy Ships partners with each country we visit for five years. We partner with the nation’s government and Ministry of Health to identify training needs, reduce the surgical backlog and provide ongoing support after the ships leave.