Mercy Ships and West African College of Surgeons Collaborate to Elevate Surgical and Anesthesia Training in Africa

In a landmark collaboration, the West African College of Surgeons (WACS) has granted an accreditation to Mercy Ships’ (www.MercyShips.org) surgical and anesthesia training programmes. This partnership reflects the shared commitment of both organizations towards advancing medical education in the region, offering medical trainees unparalleled opportunities to gain specialized qualifications through their experience aboard the international charity’s hospital vessels.

The clinical and scholarly endorsement from WACS has been celebrated by Mercy Ships as a huge milestone in continuing to deliver of the organization’s Education Training and Advocacy (ETA) strategy of improving access to surgical care and surgical education in Africa.

WACS is a highly respected regional body that promotes the education, training, and professional development of surgeons and healthcare professionals across West Africa. Its mission is to enhance healthcare standards through specialized training, rigorous examinations, and the accreditation of medical institutions and programmes.

Dr. Mark Shrime, International Chief Medical Officer at Mercy Ships, said: “This accreditation reflects Mercy Ships’ commitment to work alongside our partner countries, working in accompaniment with them to improving access to surgical care in Africa. It is the culmination of a programmatic goal set in 2022, and the result of building strong partnerships in the region. And most importantly, it means that trainees on our ships can be even more assured that the training they receive is to the highest standards.”

The accreditation covers a raft of specialties including general surgery, oral and maxillofacial/head and neck, orthopaedics, paediatric surgery, plastic surgery, and anesthesia.

Erin Ugai, Senior Director for ETA at Mercy Ships, said: “Residents often need to obtain specialist training outside the country but through accreditations like this, they can complement their surgical training by receiving specialist training on our hospital ships in country when Mercy Ships is there delivering surgical care and surgical education.

“Our ships are a great training platform as residents will learn in a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural environment, equipped with the necessary staff, supplies and equipment to provide high-quality surgical care to a patient population that will be relevant to their practice long-term.

“WACS is dedicated to advancing healthcare standards through rigorous certification processes and the development of specialized medical professionals, making this collaboration a critical step in enhancing the medical capabilities of the region.”

With WACS’ endorsement, trainees aboard Mercy Ships’ vessels will have access to accredited surgical training programmes within West Africa. The Global Mercy™ is currently serving in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where it is delivering surgery and training.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships.

For more Information about Mercy Ships, contact:
Sophie Barnett
Mercy Ships International PR Manager
international.media@mercyships.org

About Mercy Ships:  
Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and other healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. An international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused entirely on partnering with African nations for the past three decades. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare professionals and supports the construction of in-country medical infrastructure to leave a lasting impact.   

Each year, more than 2,500 volunteer professionals from over 60 countries serve on board the world’s two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy® and the Global Mercy™. Professionals such as surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical and anesthetic care. Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has offices in 16 countries as well as an Africa Service Center in Dakar, Senegal. For more information, visit www.MercyShips.org and follow @ MercyShips on social media.