In honour of World Humanitarian Day on Tuesday 19th August 2025, the Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) is proud to shine a spotlight on the extraordinary work of Mercy Ships, a humanitarian organisation transforming lives through surgery in some of the world’s poorest nations. As part of this commitment, AfPP is providing Mercy Ships a complimentary stand at the 2025 Annual National Conference, taking place 8th – 9th August at the University of Warwick, to raise awareness of their mission among perioperative professionals.

Surgery: an urgent global crisis

Conditions that require surgical intervention are among the biggest killers in low-income countries, surpassing HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined. Around five billion people globally lack access to safe, affordable surgical care, a staggering figure that highlights a silent but deadly crisis. In sub-Saharan Africa, where up to 69% of people live on less than £2 a day, many face a stark reality: no healthcare at all, or care that is completely unaffordable.

You can see pictures here of Harimalala, a patient from Madagascar, showing the incredible transformation that is possible when medical volunteers serve with Mercy Ships.

Mercy Ships: hope and healing at sea

Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships uses hospital ships staffed by volunteers to provide free, life-saving surgeries and to strengthen national healthcare systems in partnership with host nations. The charity’s two ships, the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy, are fully equipped floating hospitals delivering direct surgical care, while also serving as platforms for training and mentoring local medical staff, and even renovating hospitals and clinics.

“Mercy Ships doesn’t just treat the symptoms, it works to build sustainable healthcare systems from within,” says AfPP Trustee Will Windsor. “It’s a cause we at AfPP wholeheartedly support. Their commitment to long-term change through partnership and education aligns beautifully with our own mission to elevate standards in perioperative care.”

“It’s an absolute privilege to be highlighted by AfPP this month,” says Shelley Pigott, Mercy Ships UK Executive Director. “Our life-transforming work in sub-Saharan Africa is made possible by dedicated medical volunteers who make up 50% of our onboard crew.

A lasting legacy through partnership

Each Mercy Ships mission is built on a five-year collaboration with host nations, beginning with deep engagement with government ministries and local health services to ensure the charity’s work aligns with national healthcare priorities. By tailoring its support, Mercy Ships strengthens infrastructure and drives meaningful policy change, tackling root causes of poor health outcomes rather than merely addressing symptoms.

To date, the charity has worked in more than 55 countries, delivering services valued at over £1.3 billion. Their volunteers; surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, operating department practitioners, and technicians, embody the charity’s guiding principle, inspired by the model of Jesus: “bringing hope and healing to the forgotten poor,” regardless of faith, background, or circumstance.

AfPP’s August Campaign: Spotlight on Mercy Ships

To further amplify awareness, AfPP will be highlighting Mercy Ships throughout August, sharing powerful case studies, volunteer interviews, and stories of the lives transformed through surgery aboard its hospital ships. These stories will demonstrate the impact that perioperative professionals can have, not just in their local communities, but across the globe.

For many volunteers, the dedication to support the work of Mercy Ships lasts for years. You can find out more in this Lancet Oncology article written by a team of medical experts who have supported Mercy Ships for up to 40 years.

For more information or to get involved, visit www.mercyships.org.uk