A spokeswoman for the Mercy Ships, the organization operating a fleet of such floating hospitals, said the delay in the operations at the Africa Mercy was corresponding to the delay of the arrival of medical equipment from the vessel's sister ship Anastasia. The latter has retired after being operational for more than 25 years, according to AFP reports.
Africa Mercy will spend nearly six months in Liberia treating hundreds of poor patients before heading to Sierra Leone, she told the AFP, adding that screening of patients for Africa Mercy was underway.
Africa Mercy, which has the capacity to perform some 7,000 operations per year, specializes in cataract removal, lens implant, reconstruction of cleft lips and palates, orthopedic and obstetric fistula repairs and tumor removals.
A 400-member staff on the ship includes a team of experienced surgeons, dentists, nurses, engineers and many others, who volunteer for the good cause.
Mercy Ships is a global charity engaged in bringing humanitarian aid to developing nations.
