President Mahama tours Mercy Ships hospital at Tema Port

President John Dramani Mahama has toured the Mercy Ships hospital currently docked at the Tema Port, commending the organisation for providing specialised medical care to Ghanaians.

During the visit on Thursday, the President interacted with Ghanaian patients receiving treatment and thanked the medical crew and Ghanaian volunteers supporting the mission during the ship’s 10-month stay in Ghana.

President Mahama noted that Mercy Ships has visited Ghana four times since 1991, providing more than 2,600 surgeries and 16,700 dental procedures while supporting the training and development of 139 Ghanaian health professionals.

“Mercy Ships has served Ghana on four previous visits since 1991. Those missions delivered more than 2,600 surgeries and 16,700 dental procedures and supported the development of 139 Ghanaian health professionals. We remember that past service with gratitude,” he said.

He said the organisation’s voluntary medical services have provided specialised and life-saving treatment to patients who had waited years for care.

The treatments include surgeries for cataracts, cleft lips and palates, tumours, childhood orthopaedic conditions and other conditions.

The President urged the Ministry of Health and relevant agencies to provide the necessary support to enhance the services being provided by Mercy Ships.

He also assured that the government would continue to expand interventions aimed at improving access to quality healthcare.

“Our government is expanding free primary health care, strengthening the National Health Insurance Programme and investing in hospitals and health workers. Through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, we are also working to reduce the burden of serious non-communicable diseases on families,” he said.