When the hospital ship Africa Mercy docks in a port, it becomes much more than a vessel. For thousands of patients across Sub-Saharan Africa, it is a floating hospital that offers life-changing surgery and medical care, free of charge.
Operated by the independent international charity Mercy Ships, the 152-meter vessel hosts a hospital with five operating rooms and space for around 80 patients, supported by an international volunteer crew of about 470 professionals from different nations.
The challenge:
The Africa Mercy’s freshwater piping system had been installed nearly 27 years ago and had begun to show signs of fouling. To maintain the strict hygiene standards required for hospital operations, the system needed to be renewed to ensure a reliable supply of clean water for surgical procedures, sterilization processes and daily life on board.
The action:
GF supported the complete renewal of the vessel’s freshwater infrastructure by donating more than 2’000 meters of piping and over 7’000 fittings. For two weeks in January, five GF employees from three countries joined the Mercy Ships crew in Durban, South Africa, as part of GF’s strategic employee volunteering program, the OneGF Impact Fund. Working closely with the ship’s technical team and the contracted installer, the GF team installed the new freshwater piping system. Beyond installation, they also trained the ship’s crew in the use and maintenance of the new system, enabling reliable operation for future missions.
The impact:
Thanks to the upgraded freshwater infrastructure ensuring everyday life for hundreds of crew members and patients on board, the Africa Mercy is ready for its next missions.
