{"id":15413,"date":"2020-10-12T23:45:19","date_gmt":"2020-10-12T23:45:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.felana.com.mx\/eng\/mercy-for-the-world-an-overview-of-hospital-ships-more-than-shipping\/"},"modified":"2020-10-12T23:45:19","modified_gmt":"2020-10-12T23:45:19","slug":"mercy-for-the-world-an-overview-of-hospital-ships-more-than-shipping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.felana.com.mx\/eng\/mercy-for-the-world-an-overview-of-hospital-ships-more-than-shipping\/","title":{"rendered":"Mercy for the World: An Overview of Hospital Ships – More Than Shipping"},"content":{"rendered":"

On a sunny Sunday afternoon, while I was jumping from one news feed to another, I saw an article about Mercy ships and the latest news about Global Mercy, which will be the world\u2019s largest civilian hospital ship. She is still under construction in Xingang, China and she\u2019s being planned to be ready in 2021. Mercy Ships\u2019 blog states that \u201cOver the next 50 years, it is estimated that more than 150,000 lives will be changed onboard the Global Mercy through surgery alone, and countless more lives will be impacted through the ship\u2019s medical training and infrastructure programs. In close collaboration with our host nations in Africa, the Global Mercy, together with the Africa Mercy, will more than double the impact of our work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

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Non-government hospital ship MV Africa Mercy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The idea of helping people who are in need of medical care gave me a hope for humanity especially while we are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous hurricanes, extraordinary wildfires, and more. Now, let\u2019s look at the history of hospital ships.<\/p>\n

What is a hospital ship?<\/span><\/h4>\n

A hospital ship is a ship designated for primary function as a floating medical treatment facility or hospital. Most are operated by the military forces (mostly navies) of various countries, as they are intended to be used in or near war zones. In the 19th century, redundant warships were used as moored hospitals for seamen. During World War I and World War II, hospital ships were first used on a massive scale. Many passenger liners were converted for use as hospital ships.<\/p>\n

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RMS Mauretania as hospital ship HMHS Mauretania during World War I.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

What are the the restrictions for a hospital ship?<\/span><\/h4>\n