Funds launch Global Mercy ship

Arecord-breaking $1.125million Rotary Foundation Global Grant will fund vital medical equipment on the world’s largest charitable hospital ship. Thegrantwillfundabrand new, state-of-the-art CTscanner, andothervitalequipment onboard the Global Mercy, which launches next year.

The purpose-built Global Mercy will be the largest NGO hospital ship and will double the impact of Mercy Ships on healthcare systems throughout West Africa. The Rotary money will provide a range of sophisticated medical equipment for the ship’s two hospital decks with six operating theatres, threeinfection isolation rooms, 147 ward beds, six post-operative recovery beds andfourintensivecarebeds. It will also provide training and education for local healthcare workers.

Mercy Ships UK’s acting executive director, Joanne Balaam, said: “Mercy Ships is delighted to continue our l o n g - s t a n d i n g pa r t n e r - ship with Rotary. The grant will fund equipment onboard ournewteachinghospitaland increase our capacity. It will help realise a shared vision: to build self-sustaining healthcare systems, save significantly morelivesandleavealasting legacy across the countries of Africa. Your gift truly makesa difference, thank you!”

Worldwide, two out of three people cannot access surgery when they need it. Thisisbecausetheycannotafford it or it is simply not available in their country. Every year, more than 18 million peopledieunnecessarilyfrom conditions that could have been treated by surgery. Over the Global Mercy’s expected lifespan of 50 years, it is estimatedthatmorethan150,000 l ives will be transformed through free surgery. Mercy Ships havechangedandsaved lives for over 40 years.

One such life was Adama (pictured), a young mother from Guinea. She developed cataracts whilst pregnant with twins. By the time she gave birth she was completely blind. Unable to access the simple surgery that would restore her sight, Adama would never see her new family.

After receiving a f ree, 20-minute procedure from Mercy Ships she was able to see herchildren’s faces for the first time.

The Global Grant was led by Rotary clubs in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire and involved 341 clubs across the UK and manyothersacrosstheworld. The project galvanised the generosity of Rotary, truly capturing imaginations and hearts and shows that Rotary truly does “Open Opportunities”.

The monies raised by hundreds of Rotary Clubs in the UK and overseas, will help to transform the lives of literally thousands of the world’s most poor and needy .

The Global Mercy is undergoing the final stages of construction with the aim of sailing into active service by the end of 2021.

Since 1978, Mercy Ships have worked in more than 56 nations and provided services worth over £1.2 billion that have helped more than 2.8 million people.

The work that Rotarians have done to support Mercy Ships throughout the years doesn’t just stop at raising money. Many Rotarians have served onboard the ship, being part of the delivery, planning and execution.