2024-08-30 22:00:11
A sickbay on a ship is nothing serious. But what if we told you that the entire hospital is on board? This is the amazing story of the humanitarian organization Mercy Ships. Founded by American philanthropists and Swiss donors, it has two hospital ships. Currently on the coast of Africa, every day, they save lives thanks to the crew on board, but always volunteers. A third hospital ship is in operation. Florine Perri, the France director of Mercy Ships, is looking for materials. (Updated from May 11, 2024)
RFI : Your hospital ships are amazing, gigantic decks and floors, what can we see on board ?
Florine Perry : Former theater and hospital occupying two of twelve decks, with hospital cabins on two floors. Enough to rest the patients and sometimes some members of their families. On board, we have all types of surgery (but especially eye operations or deformities that cause discrimination), there is also a training school for new arrivals. Every comfort for our staff is there. A gigantic restaurant, a bar, a sports field, a lounge.
He invited listeners to view pictures of the boats on his website : anu.fr.
Actually, yes. You will understand why we have so many candidate volunteers. Comfort, team spirit, humor and safety are guaranteed.
How many volunteers for what jobs ?
Most of these 3,000 volunteers are medical professionals. Nurses, doctors, surgeons. But obviously we need marine jobs. Captains, intelligence as well as inventory managers or human resource managers.
At the age of 45, he has sailed all over the world. Does the future hold for African countries, especially with the third hospital line planned for 2029?
Yes, we currently work in countries along the West African coast. We are still in Sierra Leone, the ship will stay there all next year. Our ships also operate in Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Benin and Madagascar, where we are at the moment. For English-speaking African countries, we go to Tanzania, Liberia.
He said he needed a French-speaking employee ?
Yes. On board, nurses must speak French and English. Even if it is only a communication level, it is important to be able to learn both languages.
How do you position yourself to decide on places? ?
So let me explain. Our hospital ships do not replace the health systems of countries. Governments must invite us, they apply and we sign an agreement.
Patients are selected by medical authorities, govt ?
These are the countries, based on their needs and patients, which have specific surgical requirements. Again, we don’t replace, we help.
Read againIn Senegal, “World Mercy”, the largest civilian hospital ship in the world, launched in Dakar
#Mercy #Ships #volunteers #hospital #ships