Mercy Ships has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Ghana Health Service to contribute to the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.
The donation is made up of 9000 items consisting of: 1,500 nursing caps, 1,500 medical protective glasses, 1,500 masks FFP2, 1,500 pairs of gloves, 1,500 surgical gowns, 1,500 pairs of shoe covers and five Infrared Thermometers (IT).
Donating the items on behalf of the organization, Madam Rosa Whitaker applauded the Ghana Health Service for their swift response to the fight against the pandemic adding that Mercy Ships is committed to build on the collaboration between NGOs, the private sector and the public sector especially during times like these.
Madam Whitaker noted that it is very necessary for NGO’s to come together for collaboration to help fight against the Coronavirus disease.
She said although many have predicted that the pandemic is inevitable within Africa and that this continent will soon become the epicenter of the new outbreak, “we stand with our African partners at this crucial time. It is our hope and belief that nations can get ahead of this curve and hold back the relentless effects that this pandemic could have on our formal and informal economies and people,” she stated.
She added that for more than 30 years, Mercy Ships has stood shoulder to shoulder with our African partners to address the global surgery crisis. “Even though borders are closed, and we cannot physically be present right now, Mercy Ships continues to conduct online medical capacity training and support ongoing projects with partners on the ground. We are committed for our ship to return to help strengthen healthcare systems within West and Central Africa, as soon as the global situation allows,” said Madam Whitaker.
Receiving the items on behalf of the Ghana Health Service, Director General Dr. Kuma-Aboagye expressed gratitude to Mercy Ships for their kind gesture.
Giving an update on some of the initiatives by the NGO, Madam Whitaker said Mercy Ships has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to eight partner nations within West and Central Africa: Benin, Congo, Ghana, Liberia, Madagascar, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo totaling 80,800 items and 20 infrared thermometers and will donate PPE to an additional three countries Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Guinea.
“The people of Ghana hold a warm place in the hearts of all Mercy Ships crew, volunteers, and international staff” said Whitaker.
Mercy Ships has been involved with Ghana since 1991 and a Mercy Ship has docked four times in Ghana. The Africa Mercy has 85 long/short term crew from Africa, 10 of whom are Ghanaians in roles ranging from engineering to HR.
The donation was made in the presence of Dr Juliette Tuakli and Lucy Quist Mercy Ships International Board Members who reside in Ghana.
ABOUT MERCY SHIPS:
Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class healthcare services, capacity building, and sustainable development to those with little access in the developing world.
Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 55 developing countries, providing services valued at more than $1.6 billion and treating more than 2.7 million direct beneficiaries. Our ships are crewed by volunteers from over 50 nations, with an average of over 1,300 volunteers each year.
Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, healthcare trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills. With 16 national offices and an Africa Bureau, Mercy Ships seeks to transform individuals and serve nations one at a time.
