Mentoring
88 local professionals participated in our mentoring programs.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.