Africa Mercy, a converted former Danish rail ferry, is the world’s largest charity hospital ship. She was completely refitted in 2007 at a cost of £30m (half the cost of a comparable new vessel) to include 5 operating theatres and a 78-bed ward, a pharmacy, a CT Scanner, and X-ray and laboratory services. With more than twice the capacity of her predecessor, she not only facilitates around 7,000 surgical procedures on board each year, but also operates as a base for the volunteers to run busy eye and dental clinics.
Although her 450-strong crew of doctors, nurses, engineers, cooks, and sailors, is entirely voluntary (they even pay their own living expenses, to ensure all funds go towards treating patients), a vessel this size has substantial running costs, and her work is only made possible by private donations. Please visit www.mercyships.org.uk for more information.
Thank You.
By Nauticalia
Explore more: Charity Support