Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the forgotten poor, mobilizing people and resources worldwide. The organization treats all patients without cost, and without regard to their religion, race or gender.[38]Mercy Ships vessels have completed over 564 port visits in 53 developing nations and 17 developed nations.Mercy Ships has performed services valued at more than $1 billion, impacting about 2.35 million people in its 35 years. Mercy Ships volunteers have performed more than 61,000 free operations, such as cleft lip and palate, cranial-facial reconstruction, cataract removal, straightening of crossed eyes, obstetric vesico vaginal fistula {VVF] and pediatric orthopedics. Its crew have performed 278,000 dental procedures for more than 109,000 dental patients.Mercy Ships has treated over 539,000 patients in medical and dental clinics set up in the communities near ports where the hospital ship has docked. Capacity Building is central to its mission having trained more than 29,400 local medical professionals in areas of specialization, including anesthesiology, midwifery, sterilization and surgery. Mercy Ships has educated about 5,770 local healthcare workers, who have in turn trained multiple thousands in primary healthcare. Volunteers have also taught basic health care to more than 150,000 local people. As of spring 2011, the organization has completed nearly 1,100 community development projects focusing on water and sanitation, education, infrastructure development and agriculture.In December 2013, the board authorized the signing of a contract for a new purpose built hospital ship. This new hospital ship which more than doubles the number of people served is expected to be delivered in late late 2018 or early 2019.