Mercy Ships, the hospital ship charity's first ever purpose-built newbuilding has been inaugurated in Dakar, Senegal in a ceremony and ribbon cutting overseen by the west African country’s president.

President Macky Sall cut the ribbon to the 36,600-gt Global Mercy (world's largest hospital ship as Afloat previously reported) alongside Mercy Ships founder Don Stephens as the new ship sat in port next to the charity’s existing 16,572-gt converted rail ferry Africa Mercy (built 1980).

While the celebrations were underway, the crew had already begun with the ship's first mission in strengthening African healthcare.

The new ship has six operating theatres, six hospital wards, radiology, screening, rehab and outpatient care.

Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has been active in more than 55 developing countries, providing medical services valued at more than $1.7bn to directly benefit more than 2.8m people.

Mercy Ships draws volunteers from over 60 nations — an average of more than 1,200 each year, including surgeons, nurses, dentists, healthcare trainers and teachers, as well as seafarers.

Tradewinds has further coverage of the ceremony.