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Africa is the only continent where poverty levels are actually rising. The statistics are staggering: More than 40% of sub-Saharan Africa’s 660 million people survive on less than 50p ($1) a day and average life expectancy is 48.6 years – the lowest in the world by far (United Nations Department of Public Information). Mercy Ships targets the port cities of impoverished nations deploying volunteer professionals to provide world class care for people who don’t have a National Health Service to turn to Our flagship vessel, the Africa Mercy, is a self-contained floating hospital, equipped with its own water, power, skilled volunteers and medical supplies. As a result the Africa Mercy can sidestep some of the basic and intractable problems facing other aid agencies – lack of reliable water, power, personnel and ways to deliver projects – to make a lasting difference

100%
Categories

  • Health/Wellbeing Health/​Wellbeing
  • Hospitals/Hospices Hospitals/​Hospices
  • Poverty Alleviation/Relief Poverty Alleviation/​Relief
  • Beneficiaries

    • Children (3-18) Children (3-18)
    • Older People Older People
    • Women & Girls Women & Girls
    • Young People (18-30) Young People (18-30)
    • Other Other

    Situation

    Commissioned in 2007 to serve the continent of Africa - and in particular West Africa - the 498 foot vessel Africa Mercy contains six operating rooms, a seventy-eight bed recovery ward, an intensive care unit and accommodations for 474 multi-national volunteer crew and personnel. The Africa Mercy is expected to serve in this region for the next 30 years providing urgently needed medical services and health related capacity building projects during each 10 month field service to a specific nation Specialised surgeries carried out on board include: Cataract and tumor removal; noma, maxillo-facial, cleft lip and palate repair; orthopaedic and burn reconstruction; dental operations and the treatment of severe child birth injuries (obstetric fistula). Our goal is to restore confidence and independence to those who have suffered pain and humiliation Project Goals: Strengthen the capacity of the poorest West African nations to meet local health needs, improve the quality of life and independence of their citizens Project Outcomes: To maintain our world class hospital ship that delivers: • 7,000 urgent surgical and 6,000 dental treatments a year • Reduces disease through community based health training • Increases access to health services via local capacity building Cost: As of 2010 total annual project costs are approximately £6,037,000. However, Mercy Ships covers 35% of these costs (through Gifts in Kind and Contributed Services) leaving £3,953,667 needed to fully fund The Africa Mercy Project for the current year Therefore, five years of operating costs will be in the range of £20 million.

    Solution

    100%
    Categories

  • Health/Wellbeing Health/​Wellbeing
  • Hospitals/Hospices Hospitals/​Hospices
  • Poverty Alleviation/Relief Poverty Alleviation/​Relief
  • Beneficiaries

    • Children (3-18) Children (3-18)
    • Older People Older People
    • Women & Girls Women & Girls
    • Young People (18-30) Young People (18-30)
    • Other Other