Mercy Ships and Madagascar

The Africa Mercy will return to Madagascar in February 2024, marking the fourth visit to this beautiful island nation since 1996. During the 10-month field service in the Port of Toamasina, Mercy Ships will offer direct surgical care, and invest in mentoring and training healthcare professionals to strengthen the nation’s surgical and anesthetic systems. This will be the first field service for the Africa Mercy following an extensive ship refit, which includes hospital, pharmacy, and lab renovations.

In the past, a specific focus in the relationship between Mercy Ships and Madagascar has been to help women injured during childbirth. During previous field services, it was discovered that women with obstetric fistula often withdrew from society due to the condition. Because the rugged terrain made travel too expensive, it was difficult to find those who needed help. This situation sparked a change that was implemented in all field services. Now, Mercy Ships volunteers go out into rural areas to seek out patients. Additionally, partnerships have been formed with other organizations to help fund travel, when needed.

The Africa Mercy will return to Madagascar in February 2024, marking the fourth visit to this beautiful island nation since 1996. During the 10-month field service in the Port of Toamasina, Mercy Ships will offer direct surgical care, and invest in mentoring and training healthcare professionals to strengthen the nation’s surgical and anesthetic systems. This will be the first field service for the Africa Mercy following an extensive ship refit, which includes hospital, pharmacy, and lab renovations.

  • Hover over to see the cities where patient screening was conducted
  • Zoom in and click to see the cities where patient screening was conducted

In the past, a specific focus in the relationship between Mercy Ships and Madagascar has been to help women injured during childbirth. During previous field services, it was discovered that women with obstetric fistula often withdrew from society due to the condition. Because the rugged terrain made travel too expensive, it was difficult to find those who needed help. This situation sparked a change that was implemented in all field services. Now, Mercy Ships volunteers go out into rural areas to seek out patients. Additionally, partnerships have been formed with other organizations to help fund travel, when needed.

In 2021, Mercy Ships partnered with Madagascar to support the country’s pandemic response by donating emergency Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as well as partnering with local nonprofits to support several ongoing humanitarian projects.

In 2021, Mercy Ships partnered with Madagascar to support the country’s pandemic response by donating emergency Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as well as partnering with local nonprofits to support several ongoing humanitarian projects.

Ministry of Health confirms Africa Mercy’s® return to Madagascar in 2024

PRESS RELEASE

ANTANARIVO, MADAGASCAR, SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 – Recent meetings between the Ministry of Health and Mercy Ships have furthered planning for the hospital ship Africa Mercy® to return to Madagascar in early February. Initially, Mercy Ships plans to dock the 16, 572 GT Africa Mercy in the port of Toamasina. During the field service, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the ship’s medical professionals, and teams will aim to provide more than 1,150 free specialized surgeries as well as targeted training for healthcare professionals.

Mercy Ships has already embarked on the beginning of a 5-year country engagement plan that further strengthens the partnership between Mercy Ships and the people of Madagascar, with the development of local partners, and completion of an initial programmatic assessment.

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1,962

Professionals trained

16,489

Dental procedures

1,957

Surgeries

Benin’s First Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon

In West Africa, it’s rare that medical professionals have the opportunity to gain advanced training, practice on the newest technology, and liaise with experts in their field – it’s one reason so many doctors leave for Europe, Australia, or the States. “It’s not that it’s hard to keep your skills updated here,” comments Amy Jones, Project Manager for the Mercy Ships Medical Capacity Building (MCB) Team, “It’s impossible.”

But for Benin’s first reconstructive plastic surgeon, Dr. Odry Agbessi, staying in Benin is a must – surgeons may leave, but patients cannot. Though faced with numerous obstacles, Dr. Odry’s dedication to helping her people pushes her onward.

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Benin’s First Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon

In West Africa, it’s rare that medical professionals have the opportunity to gain advanced training, practice on the newest technology, and liaise with experts in their field – it’s one reason so many doctors leave for Europe, Australia, or the States. “It’s not that it’s hard to keep your skills updated here,” comments Amy Jones, Project Manager for the Mercy Ships Medical Capacity Building (MCB) Team, “It’s impossible.”

But for Benin’s first reconstructive plastic surgeon, Dr. Odry Agbessi, staying in Benin is a must – surgeons may leave, but patients cannot. Though faced with numerous obstacles, Dr. Odry’s dedication to helping her people pushes her onward.

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Partnership for Health

Partnership for Health

As well as delivering direct medical interventions on the ground in Benin, Mercy Ships worked hard to equip local medical staff with the knowledge and facilities needed to continue the work after the Africa Mercy left Cotonou.

Mercy Ships met that goal by providing:

  • High-quality and internationally recognized medical training programs and one-on-one mentoring opportunities
  • Support and feedback for the government on programs such as the World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist
  • Data collection for use in research and impact evaluation

  • Mentoring

    88 local professionals participated in our mentoring programs.

  • Training

    1,874 people participated in our various courses to further their skills in their area of expertise.

  • Lasting Impact

    Mercy Ships has developed practical and relevant capacity-building projects that demonstrate and impart knowledge, skills, and a compassionate, professional attitude to each participant.

Who We Are

Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships is a global faith-based charity that uses hospital ships and volunteer professionals to deliver free specialized surgical care and medical training to build the local healthcare systems with our host nations, focusing in Africa.

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Medical Training

Mercy Ships offers free training designed to empower healthcare workers and strengthen local healthcare systems. Instruction is specific to the unique needs of our host nation and planned in collaboration with the National Ministry of Health.

Learn More

How We Help

Mercy Ships comes alongside our host nation with volunteer professionals to address the immediate surgical needs of a nation, simultaneously training local healthcare workers, and collaboratively building healthcare infrastructure. This approach empowers our host’s sustainable progress and continued development.

Learn More

Who We Are

Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships is a global faith-based charity that uses hospital ships and volunteer professionals to deliver free specialized surgical care and medical training to build the local healthcare systems with our host nations, focusing in Africa.

Learn More

Medical Training

Mercy Ships offers free training designed to empower healthcare workers and strengthen local healthcare systems. Instruction is specific to the unique needs of our host nation and planned in collaboration with the National Ministry of Health.

Learn More

How We Help

Mercy Ships comes alongside our host nation with volunteer professionals to address the immediate surgical needs of a nation, simultaneously training local healthcare workers, and collaboratively building healthcare infrastructure. This approach empowers our host’s sustainable progress and continued development.

Learn More

Ask Us Anything

We are excited to share our story with you. We believe that a successful collaboration is based on mutual trust. By being transparent with local media and organizations and inviting them to learn more about our mission, we hope to build strong partnerships that will help us achieve our goals.

For this purpose, we have selected for you the most important facts and figures about Mercy Ships.

If you have any questions, please contact us using this form. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Download our Press Pack

 Get in Touch

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Please be aware, we’re not taking any referrals through this form. Referrals through messages or email will not be received. Any other message we will try to respond to ASAP.

Ask Us Anything

We are excited to share our story with you. We believe that a successful collaboration is based on mutual trust. By being transparent with local media and organizations and inviting them to learn more about our mission, we hope to build strong partnerships that will help us achieve our goals.

For this purpose, we have selected for you the most important facts and figures about Mercy Ships.

If you have any questions, please contact us using this form. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Download our Press Pack

 Get in Touch

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Please be aware, we’re not taking any referrals through this form. Referrals through messages or email will not be received. Any other message we will try to respond to ASAP.

About us
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Africa Bureau

11 Rue 12.225,
Les Cocotiers-la Haie Vive
04 B.P 1398 Cotonou, BÉNIN

Africa Bureau

11 Rue 12.225,
Les Cocotiers-la Haie Vive
04 B.P 1398 Cotonou, BÉNIN
Tel: +229 62 38 79 79
africa@mercyships.org

© 2023 – Mercy Ships

Terms and conditions

About us
Contact Us
News
Press
Videos

Africa Bureau

11 Rue 12.225,
Les Cocotiers-la Haie Vive
04 B.P 1398 Cotonou, BÉNIN

Africa Bureau

11 Rue 12.225,
Les Cocotiers-la Haie Vive
04 B.P 1398 Cotonou, BÉNIN
Tel: +229 62 38 79 79
africa@mercyships.org

© 2023 – Mercy Ships

Terms and conditions