Mon, Apr 22nd 2024
The MSC Foundation supports Mercy Ships with a new hospital ship set to enhance medical care across Africa.
One of the world’s largest container shipping companies has announced the construction of a new charitable hospital ship. It is to have six operating theatres and will be used by the Swiss Christian organisation Mercy Ships in Africa, the MSC announced on Monday. The MSC Foundation will make a major contribution to the construction costs.
No details of the costs were given. It initially remained unclear when the building would be completed.
Mercy Ships was founded in 1978. According to its own information, the organisation operates the two largest civilian hospital ships in the world. They are used in areas where the medical infrastructure is poor.
More than 117,000 operations have been carried out on board their ships, including the correction of cleft lips and palates, orthopaedic procedures and dental and eye operations, as well as treatment for severe burns.
The new ship will include a hospital on two decks and will also provide space for training doctors and nurses. Specialists from all over the world usually work for Mercy Ships free of charge. A ship usually remains in a port for ten months.
©Keystone/SDA
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