A groundbreaking agreement between MSC Group, MSC Foundation and the charity, Mercy Ships International, has paved the way for the construction of a new hospital ship that will deliver free surgery and training to people in Africa.
MSC Group and MSC Foundation chairperson, Gianluigi Aponte; MSC Group President and Member of the MSC Foundation Board, Diego Aponte; and Mercy Ships Founder, Don Stephens, finalised the agreement to kickstart the project with an anchor donation from the MSC Foundation on 8 April.
“I spent part of my childhood and early years in the shipping industry in the Horn of Africa. It is a region close to my heart. I saw first hand the challenges faced by many local communities there and this shaped my conviction that improving the availability of healthcare would bring real and lasting impact for them,” said Gianluigi Aponte.
“It has been extremely gratifying to work with Don and provide this crucial support through his unique organisation Mercy Ships. Our partnership has reaped extraordinary results already and now we are on the verge of expanding their fleet to increase this support. I truly look forward to seeing this new ship set sail to help more communities across Africa,” he added.
Since Mercy Ships was founded in 1978, the organisation has provided more than 117,000 transformational specialised surgical procedures. These surgeries include maxillofacial reconstructions, contracture release for severe burns, correction for orthopaedic problems in children, cleft lip and palate repair, ophthalmology and dental services.
Mercy Ships, a non-governmental organisation, is also committed to boosting the capacities of local healthcare systems through sustainably designed surgical education, training, and advocacy programmes. It has provided additional training to more than 54,300 local professionals in their areas of expertise.
Expanding its fleet with a new purpose-built hospital ship, designed to similar specifications as the Global Mercy will allow the charity to increase its capacity to collaborate with host nations in training and advocacy efforts.
Stephens said Mercy Ships’ vision was to serve African countries with safe surgical care and education. “The mission of Mercy Ships to bring hope and healing is only possible by the generosity of our partners, volunteer crew, and the provision of God. Today, I am grateful to MSC for their support.”
The new ship will feature living spaces to accommodate approximately 600 crew members and guests on board. Its hospital will span two decks and 7,000 square metres, featuring six operating rooms, a fully equipped laboratory, and state-of-the-art training spaces such as a simulation lab. This makes it possible for Mercy Ships to strengthen local surgical systems during its time in port, typically a 10-month field service.
Mercy Ships CEO, Gert van de Weerdhof, said the new vessel would transport state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to support nations the charity served.
“This new vessel and her future crew will enable us to meet surgical needs, while supporting host nations as they develop healthcare systems with their next generation of medical professionals,” said Van de Weerdhof.
Diego Aponte said he had always been passionate about Africa and was “struck by the extraordinary and honourable nature” of the charity’s initiative when it was first presented.
“Mercy Ships brings tangible and concrete support to thousands of families across the region, and with MSC Group’s major presence there, we have a duty to give back to the local communities. This vessel is yet another milestone in our vision to support the African continent with achieving a truly prosperous and sustainable destiny,” said Aponte.
MSC Foundation Executive Director, Daniela Picco, said the foundation’s donations had supported the charity since 2011 and she was proud of the impact its free services and training had had on 18,000 medical professionals and community leaders, and on 30,300 patients through 33,200 surgeries over the period.
“When the discussion started with Mercy Ships Founder Don Stephens to build a new ship together, I was delighted to facilitate this game-changing commitment to accompany Mercy Ships into the coming decades,” said Picco.
