The Africa Mercy returned to Madagascar in the Port of Toamasina in August 2015. This marked the third visit to this beautiful island nation since 1996. During the ten-month field service, Mercy Ships offered direct medical services and medical capacity building assistance, as well as training and renovations.
One specific focus has been to help women injured during childbirth. Because it was discovered that women with obstetric fistula often withdrew from society due to the condition, and 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 once more to support the country’s pandemic response through emergency Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) donations, as well as partnering with local nonprofits to support several ongoing humanitarian projects.
The Africa Mercy returned to Madagascar in the Port of Toamasina in August 2015. This marked the third visit to this beautiful island nation since 1996. During the ten-month field service, Mercy Ships offered direct medical services and medical capacity building assistance, as well as training and renovations.
One specific focus has been to help women injured during childbirth. Because it was discovered that women with obstetric fistula often withdrew from society due to the condition, and 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 once more to support the country’s pandemic response through emergency Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) donations, as well as partnering with local nonprofits to support several ongoing humanitarian projects.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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