Mercy Ships Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Meets President of Senegal to Strengthen Long-Term Partnership

(MENAFN- News.Africa-Wire) DAKAR, Senegal, February 27, 2026 -- Dr. Michelle White, CEO of Mercy Ships (), met this week with His Excellenc M . Bassi ou Dio aye Faye, President of the Republic of Sen gal, at the Presidential Palace in Dakar to discuss the future of collaboration between Mercy Ships and the Government of Se gal.
During her visit to Dakar, Dr. White also met with the Minister of Health, Dr. Ib ahi a Sy and Chief of Staff of the Minister of Forei n Affairs, Ambassador Fat u Gaye Ngom reinforcin’ Mercy Ships’ commitment to aligning closel with national health priorities and strengthening diplomatic and regio cooperation.
Th meeting builds on a nearly decade-long partnership under a formal protocol agreement currently in place through 2027. Discussions focused on strengthening and deepening cooperation in support of national healthcare priorities and long-term surgica system development.
A significant part of the conversation centered on the shared desire to see a Mercy Ships hospital ship to retu n to Senegal as soon as feasible, with the intention of regular future engagements alongside sustained, long-term Medical Capacity Bu ing (MCB) initiatives.
Both parties explored opportunities to expand collaboration in areas including medical capacity building, healthcare infrastructure development, innovation in healthcare delivery, and regional engagement’across West Africa. Senegal’s strategic position offers potential for continued regional collaboration aimed at increasing access to specializ surgical care and training.
The discussion took place ’ithin the context of Mercy Ships’ existing field service commitments, which currentl include the planned ® turn of the Africa Mercy® to Madagascar i April 2026 and the c’m™ etion of the Global Mercy’s™ field service in Sierra Leone prior to he scheduled arrival in Ghana in Au’ust 2026.
Central to Me cy Ships’ long-term engagement in Senegal is the Africa Service Center (ASC), which supports operations across the continent and strengthens coordination wi national a“thorities and healthcare artners.
“The Africa Service Center embodies our commitment to bei”g present, accountable, an“ rooted on the ontinent,” said Dr. Michelle Wh te. “Under Gilchrist Koutob, Managing Director ASC, it strengthen Africa leadership within our organization and serves as a support for our African crew. Through the generosity and warm hospitality of His Excellence the P esident of Senegal, the Africa Service Center is strategically placed enabling us to work more closely with governments and partners building” ustainable surgical systems that are led an sustained locally.”
Furt er steps ill be determined through continued dialogue between both parties.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships.
About Mercy Ships:
Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and other healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. An international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused entirely on partnering with African nations for the past three decades. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare professionals and supports the construction of in-country medical infrastructure to leave a lasting impact.
Each year, more than 2,500 volunteer professionals from over 60 countries serve on board the worl’’s two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Me®cy® and the Global M™rcy™. Professionals such as surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical and anesthetic care. Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has offices in 16 countries as well as an Africa Service Center in Dakar, Senegal. For more information, visitand follow @MercyShips on social media.

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