Mercy Ships launches Ultramodern Dental Care Training Center in Conakry

By Samuel Ouma

In a momentous occasion that underscored its commitment to enhancing healthcare education across Africa, Mercy Ships officially inaugurated a new Dental Care Training Center at the Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry (UGANC) in Guinea on Wednesday. This pivotal event reflects the organization's ongoing dedication to improving health outcomes through education and practical training in underserved regions.

Since its inception in 1990, Mercy Ships has passionately focused on providing essential medical care to those in need throughout the African continent. The organization operates the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ships, namely the Africa Mercy and Global Mercy, which serve as floating healthcare facilities delivering critical surgeries and medical services to countless individuals.

The inauguration ceremony was a vibrant affair, attended by a distinguished gathering of guests, including Guinea’s Minister of Higher Education Alpha Bacar Barry, Mercy Ships Country Director, Dr. David Ugai and leading representatives from University Gamal Abdel Nasser of Conakry including its rector, Pr. Alpha Kabinet Keita and dedicated staff from Mercy Ships. 

The event commenced with an inspiring opening speech from Dr. Mohamed Sid-Dick Fadiga, the Head of the Dentistry Department at UGANC, who articulated the significance of this new center in advancing dental care education Guinea and across the West African sub region. He was followed by influential speeches from notable university leaders, including Dean Prof. Mohamed Cissé, Rector Prof. Alpha Kabinet Keita, and Dr. David Ugai, Director of Mercy Ships Guinea, each emphasizing the importance of collaboration in the pursuit of better health education.

The newly established training center is a cornerstone of Mercy Ships’ Education, Training, and Advocacy (ETA) program, a strategic initiative aimed at cultivating skilled healthcare professionals through robust partnerships with local educational institutions. This program is not just about immediate training; it emphasizes the creation of sustainable educational environments that support ongoing learning and development for both students and seasoned professionals.

Dr David Ugai, Senior Dentist, now Country Director for Mercy Ships in Guinea and Director of the Dental and Scholarship Program hinted about the impact of the facility for future generations.

“We are now in a position to give every student the opportunity to follow a training program, a curriculum and a process that meet not only Guinean accreditation standards, but also future international accreditation standards.”

Guinea’s Minister of Higher Education, Alpha Bacar Barry, who was the first patient to be consulted in the facility, acknowledged its importance, calling on students to make the best out of it.

“It's one thing to receive a gift, it's quite another to make it last. We know that the population of our country really needs dental care. This center has been designed to meet that need, because you can't talk about health without infrastructure. Having this center and this equipment is a great blessing for Guinea.”

“I ask all the students, the beneficiaries of this great achievement today, to work hard to commit themselves to becoming great dentists for the people who need them. Thank you to Mercy Ships for their efforts and commitment and for building this center, which will be a significant training pillar and a reference center for dental students in the West African region and beyond.”

The partnership between Mercy Ships and UGANC began in May 2018, when the Africa Mercy docked in Guinea for a transformative 10-month mission. During this time, the Dentistry Department underwent a remarkable metamorphosis, evolving into a fully operational dental clinic capable of meeting the community’s needs. Four dedicated students received invaluable clinical mentorship during this period, gaining hands-on experience that would shape their future careers.

Even after the Africa Mercy set sail, the collaboration continued to thrive. Further renovations were made to the dental department, which now boasts a state-of-the-art prosthetics lab and a simulation room designed to provide students with realistic, hands-on training. This expansion reflects a steadfast commitment to enhancing dental education in Guinea.

Moreover, the partnership has evolved to include international exchange programs, offering dental students from countries such as Sierra Leone, Madagascar, Benin, and Guinea-Bissau the opportunity to participate in specialized training sessions at UGANC. This initiative not only enriches the educational experience for students but also fosters a spirit of collaboration and shared learning among future dental professionals across the region.

As the sun sets on the day of the inauguration, it is evident that Mercy Ships has set in motion a powerful force for change with the ambition being that of increasing the number of dentists trained across the sub region. The new Dental Care Training Center at UGANC is not just a building; it symbolizes hope, progress, and the unwavering belief that through education, communities can uplift themselves and improve their health outcomes for generations to come. This event marks yet another significant milestone in Mercy Ships’ ongoing journey to support sustainable healthcare education and empower local professionals to make a lasting impact in their communities.