Senegal and the international humanitarian organization Mercy Ships are considering strengthening their cooperation in the health sector. Mercy Ships' Executive Director, Dr. Michelle White, met with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the Presidential Palace to discuss the future of the partnership between the organization and the Senegalese government.

At the heart of the discussions: improving access to specialized surgical care and the sustainable development of medical skills in the country. Senegalese authorities and the international organization notably discussed the possibility of a Mercy Ships hospital ship returning to Senegalese waters in the near future.

This meeting is part of a long-standing cooperation between Mercy Ships and the Senegalese government, formalized by a memorandum of understanding in force until 2027. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening this collaboration in order to support national health priorities and consolidate surgical systems in the long term.

During her stay in Dakar, Dr. Michelle White also met with the Minister of Health and Social Action, Dr. Ibrahima Sy, as well as the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Fatou Gaye Ngom. These discussions explored new avenues for collaboration, particularly in the training of healthcare professionals, the development of hospital infrastructure, and innovation in healthcare delivery.

Senegal's strategic position in West Africa also opens up prospects for regional cooperation aimed at improving access to specialized surgical care and strengthening the capacities of health personnel in several countries in the region.

The meeting comes as Mercy Ships continues its humanitarian missions on the African continent. The hospital ship Africa Mercy is scheduled to resume operations in Madagascar in April 2026, while the Global Mercy will complete its mission in Sierra Leone before heading to Ghana in August 2026.

The organization's sustained presence in Senegal also relies on the Africa Service Center, based in Dakar. This center plays a key role in coordinating Mercy Ships' operations in Africa and in strengthening partnerships with health authorities and stakeholders in the sector.

“The Africa Service Center demonstrates our commitment to having a strong presence on the continent and working closely with our African partners,” said Dr. Michelle White. She also emphasized that this structure, led by Gilchrist Koutob, helps strengthen African leadership within the organization and supports the teams engaged in its missions.

The next steps in this cooperation should be defined within the framework of an ongoing dialogue between Mercy Ships and the Senegalese authorities.