A team of medical doctors from the Mercyship which docked at the Banjul Ports Saturday, June 2, have started cleft-lip surgery operations on patients in The Gambia.

These standard medical services are being provided at free cost to patients suffering from lip defects at the Acute Paediatric Ward of the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in Banjul.

The ship has been offering free medical services around the world, brought along doctors, including anaesthetists, surgeons, and nurses.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Observer on Friday, Ann Gile, a team member confirmed that Mercyship has successfully carried out surgery operations on cleft lip defects on 11 patients at no cost (free of charge). Ms Gile pointed out that the patients are responding to treatment, adding that this will provide them the opportunity to live a normal life. 

Kaddy Mballow, a mother of a seven month-old patient Amie Dem, expressed gratitude to Mercyship. She also expressed his delight for her daughter’s inclusion in the treatment.
Sam Penannan, Coordinator of the team, urged patients to turn up in large numbers, assuring that they are prepared to offer free services.
Mr. Penannan disclosed that the team will leave Banjul for Sierra Leone on June 15.