News

A weight off his back: Farmer, 53, can sleep on his back for the first 15 in years after tumor removal

A father of three can sleep comfortably on his back for the first time in 15 years after having a massive tumor – weighing 11lbs (5kgs) – removed by surgical charity Mercy Ships. Malagasy builder and rice farmer Fidisoa was 38 when what appeared to be a tiny pimple on his back started to grow, first into a lump and then into the size of a fist. It continued to grow until Fidisoa looked as if he carried a backpack underneath his shirt.

By land, air, and sea: Hospital ship and aviation charities renew partnership to bring life-changing surgery to patients to remote African regions

Press release

TOAMASINA, MADAGASCAR, 8 JULY 2024 – Humanitarian aid organizations Mercy Ships and Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) have renewed their partnership to help bring life-changing surgical care to isolated communities across Africa.

Boy, 12, reunites with hospital ship that transformed his life a decade ago as it returns to provide more surgeries

Press release

A boy who had his legs straightened by a health charity ten years ago has been back onboard the ship that transformed his life as it returned to his home country to offer more free life-changing surgeries. Romino, now 12, was just a toddler when his legs started to bow. His parents saw he was struggling to walk and knew they could not get him the surgery he needed in their home of Madagascar.

Mercy Ships Welcomes Presidential Visit on board, in Toamasina Harbor

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 and Ministry of Health Announce Next Phase of Life-Changing Surgeries in Sierra Leone

Press release

Freetown, Sierra Leone – June 18, 2024: The Sierra Leonean Ministry of Health, in collaboration with international charity Mercy Ships, have announced preparations for the upcoming phase of free life-changing surgeries and educational initiatives for the people of Sierra Leone set to begin in August.

Life of boy, 5, transformed after charity operates on his severely bowed legs

Press release

A five-year-old soccer fan whose legs started to bow from the age of two can run and play with friends without pain after his life was transformed by a surgical charity. Malang from Senegal had been to multiple hospitals in his home country in search of medical help without success.

Powerful call to action: Collaborate now to bridge critical global surgical care and education gaps: Mercy Ships and Operation Smile Co-Host Side Event at 77th World Health Assembly

Press release

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – MAY 30, 2024: The imperative need for collaboration to tackle critical gaps in surgical care and education around the globe gained fresh recognition at a high-level panel discussion during the 77th World Health Assembly. (WHA). This side event on May 30th highlighted the synergies between surgeons, policy makers, NGOs, academia and the private sector. The WHA’s main theme for the 77th assembly was ‘All for Health, Health for All’.

Mercy Ships Welcomes First Patient in Madagascar, Marking a New Era in Africa

Press release

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

Press release

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.