Man killed in stampede for help from Mercy Ship

On Monday, 7th March, just a week before our team continues with primary healthcare training, an elderly man was killed in a stampede at the National Stadium, where screening was being carried out by staff from the Africa Mercy, the world's largest non-governmental hospital ship, which had docked in Freetown the week before.

The ship will provide free health care to the people of Sierra Leone and training for health care workers until November 2011.

More than 5 000 people had crowded the national stadium in the capital Freetown on Monday for the free screening, nearly half of them arriving the night before.

"An aged man was trampled to death after a stampede. We have also admitted 12 others who are in a serious condition and need close medical attention," said a doctor at the Connaught Hospital.

Police said they were trying "to trace the identity of the dead man who was said to be suffering from elephantitis and had an eye problem".

Staff from the Africa Mercy said they were overwhelmed by the turnout, with mothers and babies, men on crutches and bow-legged patients waiting in a queue more than a mile long.

"Our hearts and prayers are with the individuals and families of those affected by today's events. The occurrence of this incident in the course of activities intended to restore lives is tragic. We move forward with tremendous sadness, but great determination, to assist as many people as possible in the next ten months," stated Mercy Ships Founder, Don Stephens.



This is the fifth visit of a mercy ship to Sierra Leone in the 18 years, and Africa Mercy is working in collaboration with the government's five year health care plan. Last year free healthcare for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children under five was launched, but the nation still ranks at the bottom of the 2010 United Nations Human Development Index (at 158 out of 169). The infant mortality rate in Sierra Leone is 123 per 1,000 births. There is still a long way to go. Our team is looking forward to doing our bit. Like the ripple from a stone thrown into a pool, we hope the knowledge and love we impart will spread to places as yet unknown