From Survivor of War to Champion of Life

Freetown – As Sterile Processing Week celebrates the vital roles played by sterile processing professionals, Mercy Ships (www.MercyShips.org) is delighted to honor one of its committed crew members, Frank Seibure. His relentless dedication brings healing and security to surgical patients across Africa.

This year’s theme, “Serving with a purpose,” encapsulates the dedication and pride that sterile processing professionals exhibit in their roles, ensuring that each instrument is thoroughly cleaned, sterilized, and ready to save lives.

Frank’s meticulous attention to detail on board Mercy Ships ensures that every instrument is safe, protecting patients and enhancing life-saving surgical missions.

“If instruments aren’t adequately sterilized, patients can encounter more complications than they originally had,” he remarked.

Before wearing scrubs and managing sterile trays, Frank was an active community member and a young human rights advocate.

Having faced the harsh challenges of civil war during his childhood, he was determined to foster positive change.

This calling brought him to Mercy Ships in 2011, where he began as a day crew member in the sterile processing department.

With no prior experience but a strong desire to help, Frank embraced the training and swiftly advanced to become a full volunteer crew member and eventually a Certified Healthcare Leader in Sterile Processing.

“My greatest motivation is to make a meaningful impact on society, support those in need, and serve humanity,” Frank shares.

Sterile processing is often considered the heart of the hospital, as any negligence in this crucial area can lead to serious consequences.

Failing to sterilize instruments properly can endanger patient safety and potentially spark outbreaks.

Contrary to common beliefs, sterile processing is not merely about cleaning tools.

It is a complex discipline that intertwines life sciences and engineering aspects.

Recently, Surgical Directions released its latest report, Unseen but Essential: The Knowledge Demands and Staffing Crisis in Sterile Processing (https://apo-opa.co/4hiL0cY), highlighting increasing risks to patient safety linked to ongoing staffing shortages and insufficient investment in sterile processing departments.

This role continues to be one of the hardest to fill, given its rigorous knowledge requirements.

In addition to his clinical duties, Frank finds immense satisfaction in mentoring others, imparting his knowledge to new volunteers and local healthcare professionals, many of whom have risen to leadership positions in the field.

“The most fulfilling part of my experience with Mercy Ships is training numerous young individuals to become sterile processing technicians,” Frank reflects.

Through his work with Mercy Ships, Frank’s impact has crossed borders.

He continually learns from the diverse cultures present on board and has seen significant improvement in his innate leadership qualities through his service.