The world's largest floating hospital arrived in Dili's harbor on August 27 for a 6-day visit. The US Naval hospital ship Mercy's large team of doctors, medical specialists, and construction engineers made an enthusiastic start on the activities planned for the visit: 40 on-ship surgeries, diagnosis and treatment for more than 4,500 Timor-Leste citizens, eye and dental care, public health education, and building and renovation work at the National Hospital and local clinics.

Surgeries and outpatient treatments began on Sunday, soon after the ship arrived, with a focus on medical conditions that are too complex to be treated locally. District health officers, USAID partner organizations, and even Prime Minister Ramos-Horta made recommendations to the Ministry of Health for its list of suitable patients from all 13 districts, who were screened by Mercy doctors before being chosen for surgery. In addition, medical teams from the Mercy saw thousands of patients at the Bairo Pite Clinic and during a two-day public clinic near Dili's port, providing more than 2,000 immunizations and 1,600 pairs of eye glasses.

The Mercy is the largest hospital ship in the world -- it is a fully-equipped hospital with a large team of doctors and medical specialists, state-of-the-art testing and diagnostic equipment, an intensive care unit, and 12 complete operating rooms. Its visit to Timor-Leste had been planned for many months, in coordination with the US embassy, USAID, the Ministry of Health, and other partners, including the Timor-Leste Medical Association and Dr. Daniel Murphy of the Bairo Pite Clinic.

Through its partner organizations and grants, USAID supports the Ministry of Health's efforts to achieve the goals of Timor-Leste's National Development Plan. The visit by the Mercy was a huge success, highlighting the close relations between the US and Timor-Leste and complementing USAID's longer term efforts in the health sector to improve the health of Timor-Leste's people, particularly mothers and children at greatest risk.