MANILA – The U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy is returning to the Philippines. From late May through mid-June, USNS Mercy, often called a “floating hospital,” will support medical, dental, veterinary, and construction assistance programs ashore and afloat at select locations in Samar and Mindanao, and engage in community relations events in Manila.
“I am delighted the USNS Mercy is returning to the Philippines because it strengthens the many partnerships we have in the Philippines to help those in need,” said U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney. “The mission of the USNS Mercy is all about partnerships -- with local NGOs, with Philippine health care professionals, with the local government officials, with the Armed Forces, and with the people of the communities who will host the Mercy and her crew,” added the Ambassador.
All medical and dental assistance programs are coordinated with and approved by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. The programs are carried out by Philippine public health and preventive medicine personnel, members of the U.S. and Philippine Armed Services, NGOs, private citizen medical personnel, and the crew of the USNS Mercy.
The ship will also deploy with a team of sailors from the U.S. Seabees to perform repair and construction projects ashore. The U.S. Pacific Fleet Band will also be onboard the Mercy and will give public performances at various locations in the Philippines.
USNS Mercy, an 894-foot-long ship whose home port is San Diego, California, is designed and equipped to provide a variety of health services such as primary medical care, optometry screenings, burn care, preventative medicine, dental services, veterinary care, and surgery.
Uniquely capable of supporting medical and humanitarian assistance needs and responding to a range of situations on short notice, the Mercy was deployed in response to the December 2004 tsunami that struck Southeast Asia and also made a humanitarian visit to the Southern Philippines in 2006.
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