The Africa Mercy – also known as a floating hospital – has docked at Durban harbour, where extensive repairs and upgrades will be done to the ship over the following few months.

The ship normally has a crew of 400 people, however, only 66 were on board during the refit project. Though some of the crew members were on leave, those serving on the Mercy Ships provide life-changing operations, as well as help develop the skills of medical professionals in the areas they visit.

Mercy Ships’ South Africa director, Brenda van Straten, stated that they served communities across West Africa and Madagascar providing free surgeries, including the removal of mass tumours, hernias, goitres, orthopaedic surgery, cleft lip and palate surgery, and women’s health-related operations.

The ship is expected to remain in Durban until December, where it will make a stopover in East London, and thereafter proceed to Madagascar.

Darul Ihsan Media Desk