Mentoring
88 local professionals participated in our mentoring programs.
Mercy Ships and Madagascar
In February 2024, the Africa Mercy® returned to the port of Toamasina, ready to bring transformative surgical education and free, life-changing surgical care. The crew immediately began implementing an extensive strategy to ensure the ship’s services cover diverse regions of the country. Patient registration events spanned 12 regions in Madagascar, in line with the Ministry of Health’s objective to reach people nationwide.
After a successful ten months of hope and healing, and following a short maintenance period in Durban, the Africa Mercy returned to Toamasina in February 2025 for another field service that would last through December. During this stay, Mercy Ships is partnering with Madagascar’s Ministry of Health to continue addressing the most pressing needs and strengthen the country’s surgical systems in the long term.
Additionally, the Mercy Ships Education, Training, and Advocacy programs aim to increase the number of surgical providers, provide training across the surgical ecosystem, develop sustainable educational programs, and advocate for the importance of surgery in healthcare globally.
The hospital ship’s continued presence in Madagascar builds on a longstanding collaboration between Mercy Ships and the island nation, marking the organization’s fifth visit since 1996.
In February 2024, the Africa Mercy® returned to the port of Toamasina, ready to bring transformative surgical education and free, life-changing surgical care. The crew immediately began implementing an extensive strategy to ensure the ship’s services cover diverse regions of the country. Patient registration events spanned 12 regions in Madagascar, in line with the Ministry of Health’s objective to reach people nationwide.
After a successful ten months of hope and healing, and following a short maintenance period in Durban, the Africa Mercy returned to Toamasina in February 2025 for another field service that would last through December. During this stay, Mercy Ships is partnering with Madagascar’s Ministry of Health to continue addressing the most pressing needs and strengthen the country’s surgical systems in the long term.
Additionally, the Mercy Ships Education, Training, and Advocacy programs aim to increase the number of surgical providers, provide training across the surgical ecosystem, develop sustainable educational programs, and advocate for the importance of surgery in healthcare globally.
The hospital ship’s continued presence in Madagascar builds on a longstanding collaboration between Mercy Ships and the island nation, marking the organization’s fifth visit since 1996.
- Hover over to see the cities where patient screening was conducted
- Zoom in and click to see the cities where patient screening was conducted
During the coming field service, the Mercy Ships volunteer medical crew will provide more than 1,000 surgeries in various specialized areas, including maxillofacial/head and neck, general, pediatric, pediatric orthopaedic, reconstructive plastic, ophthalmology, and more.
Over the course of four previous visits, Mercy Ships collaborated with the government and Ministry of Health to provide more than 7,500 life-changing surgical procedures and over 56,800 dental procedures. Mercy Ships also has a longstanding commitment to education, having trained over 2,050 Malagasy healthcare professionals.
During the coming field service, the Mercy Ships volunteer medical crew will provide more than 1,000 surgeries in various specialized areas, including maxillofacial/head and neck, general, pediatric, pediatric orthopaedic, reconstructive plastic, ophthalmology, and more.
Over the course of four previous visits, Mercy Ships collaborated with the government and Ministry of Health to provide more than 7,500 life-changing surgical procedures and over 56,800 dental procedures. Mercy Ships also has a longstanding commitment to education, having trained over 2,050 Malagasy healthcare professionals.
PRESS RELEASE
Toamasina, MADAGASCAR, February 12, 2025 – With a strong focus on human capital development, the Ministry of Public Health, in partnership with the international humanitarian organization Mercy Ships, announced the arrival of the hospital ship Africa Mercy® in Toamasina today. This return marks a significant step in improving access to quality surgical care for the Malagasy population.
PRESS RELEASE
Malagasy president His Excellency Andry Nirina Rajoelina visited patients and volunteers on board Mercy Ships’ hospital vessel to see for himself the lives being transformed.
Mercy Ships Welcomes First Patient in Madagascar, Marking a New Era in Africa
A baby girl became the first patient to receive free life-changing surgery from Mercy Ships in Madagascar since the international charity returned to the island nation. Ten-month-old Anjara’s surgery marks a significant landmark for the organization which is operating two hospital ships at once in Africa for the first time.
Hospital ship to commence free life-changing surgeries for selected patients in Madagascar
TOAMASINA, MADAGASCAR – More than 120 community leaders, dignitaries and other guests gathered on board the hospital ship, the Africa Mercy® (May 15th) to celebrate the imminent start of international charity Mercy Ships’ impactful surgical interventions in Madagascar.
Patients across Madagascar complete registration for free surgeries on Mercy Ships
TOAMASINA, MADAGASCAR – International charity Mercy Ships has announced the successful completion of the Patient Registration Phase in Madagascar. This is a critical milestone towards provision of surgical care to underserved communities, bringing hope and healing to countless lives.
Hospital ship arrives in Madagascar to deliver surgical care and training
TOAMASINA, MADAGASCAR – International charity Mercy Ships yesterday [February 1st] returned to Madagascar to bring transformative surgical education and free, life- changing surgeries.
Freshly refitted hospital ship, the upgraded Africa Mercy® has arrived at the island nation to build on the charity’s longstanding collaboration and will provide specialized surgeries in various fields, including maxillofacial and ear nose and throat, general, pediatric specialized general, pediatric orthopedic, cataract surgery, and reconstructive plastics.
Africa Mercy® heads to Madagascar after recrewing in East London Extensive South African upgrades will benefit Mercy Ships’ future surgical offering
EAST LONDON, SOUTH AFRICA 25 JANUARY 2024 – This week, following a recrewing effort, the hospital ship the Africa Mercy® departed from the Port of East London for service within the nation of Madagascar for the next 10 months.
During an eight-month refit in Durban’s Dormac Shipyard, the ship underwent extensive repairs and maintenance to prolong and improve the vessel’s service life and improve the quality of the ship’s medical services.
Ministry of Health confirms Africa Mercy’s® return to Madagascar in 2024
ANTANANARIVO, 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.
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.
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.
Partnership for Health
Partnership for Health
As well as delivering direct medical services on the ground in Benin, Mercy Ships worked hard to equip local medical professionals 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 like the World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist.
- Data collection for use in research and impact evaluation.
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.
Medical Training
Mercy Ships offers education and training projects to help strengthen the standards of surgical care in communities of the countries we serve, leaving a lasting impact. Specialized training is provided to local healthcare professionals in techniques and procedures appropriate to their environment.
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.
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.
Medical Training
Mercy Ships offers education and training projects to help strengthen the standards of surgical care in communities of the countries we serve, leaving a lasting impact. Specialized training is provided to local healthcare professionals in techniques and procedures appropriate to their environment.
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.
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.
Get in Touch
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.
Get in Touch
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.