Screening has begun across three major hospitals in the Greater Accra Region for patients seeking free surgical treatment under the upcoming Mercy Ships medical mission scheduled for Ghana in 2026.
The exercise is being coordinated by the Ghana Health Service as part of preparations for the arrival of the international charity hospital ship, which is expected to dock in August 2026.
According to Dr Sally Quartey, Tema Metropolitan Director of Health, the screening started on May 18 and is ongoing at the Tema General Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital, and Ga East Municipal Hospital. It will run until June 5, operating from Monday to Friday, except Wednesdays.
She explained that the screenings aim to identify patients who qualify for specialised but costly procedures that are often inaccessible to many people due to financial constraints or lack of specialist care.
The planned surgeries will address conditions such as hernias, cataracts, cleft lip and palate, facial tumours, lipomas, burn contractures, bow legs, knock knees, and obstetric fistulas.
Dr Quartey urged families and communities to take advantage of the opportunity by encouraging eligible patients to visit the designated hospitals before the screening deadline.
She also disclosed that the Golden Age Youth Centre in Tema Community Seven has been earmarked as a temporary accommodation facility for patients and caregivers before and after surgery.
Preparations for the mission involve collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the Tema Metropolitan Assembly and other stakeholders, who have already engaged community leaders and submitted a draft memorandum of understanding to Mercy Ships for final review.
The agreement is expected to be finalised once all parties complete the necessary approvals ahead of the vessel’s arrival.
