A lack of access to safe, affordable surgery kills more people in low income countries than HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria combined. Globally, there are five billion people who have no access to safe, affordable surgery.

 Mercy Ships is working hard to plug this gap. The charity operates the largest civilian hospital ship in the world, delivering free, vital medical care to some of the world’s poorest countries. This “floating hospital” is staffed almost entirely by volunteers, who give their expertise for free to help treat dental and eye problems, cleft lips and palates, tumours, club feet, childbirth injuries, burns and a variety of other conditions.

Since 1978, Mercy Ships has visited more than 70 countries, providing services worth more than £1 billion that have directly helped more than 2.5 million people.

Mercy Ships has also trained more than 38,000 local health professionals in order to leave a legacy that lasts.

www.mercyships.org.uk