‘THE Surgery Ship’, a documentary narrated by Australian actor, Toni Collette, follows the work of Australian medical volunteers aboard the world’s largest independent charity hospital ship who provide free surgeries to desperate patients from poverty-stricken West African nations.

Shot on location onboard the Africa Mercy in Guinea, a country where there is only one doctor for every 10,000 people, the documentary portrays the professional and emotional challenges faced by the Australian medical volunteers and their patients.

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Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class health care services, capacity building and sustainable development aid to those without access in the developing world.

“The Surgery Ship is also a story about the everyday heroism of both Africans and the volunteers, and the human drive to rise above circumstances, to survive, and give the best of ourselves,” director, Madeleine Hetherton said.

The Surgery Ship is to be screened on 7TWO on June 17, 23 and 28.