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.   

Patient registration was fully completed on Friday April 5.  In two regions, the registration, initially scheduled to end on the March 29, had to be extended due to the impact of tropical cyclone Gamane hitting northern Madagascar.

Mercy Ships implemented an extensive strategy to ensure the broad reach of its services, covering diverse regions within Madagascar. With registrations spanning 12 locations across the country, this approach aligns with the Ministry of Health’s objective to select patients nationwide.

Mercy Ships successfully registered patients across all surgical specialties scheduled for this year, including Maxillofacial, ENT surgery, general surgery, pediatric general surgery, pediatric orthopedic surgery, reconstructive plastic surgery, and ophthalmology surgery.

Ria Bos, Director of Patient Selection for Mercy Ships, said: “The overwhelming response from the Malagasy people underscores the trust they place in Mercy Ships and highlights the pressing need for surgical care in Madagascar.  This trust is the cornerstone of our mission and drives us to continue our efforts to provide life-changing surgeries to those in need.”

She took the opportunity to highlight that from this date, any individual claiming to add patients to a waiting list or soliciting funds for registration are not affiliated with Mercy Ships. All of Mercy Ships surgeries are delivered free of charge.

She said: “We urge the public to exercise caution and report any unauthorized solicitations to ensure the integrity of the mission. The collaboration with the local medical authorities and the Ministry of Health has been instrumental in the success of the patient registration in Madagascar, showcasing a joint commitment to improving access to surgical care for the Malagasy population.”

Efforts are underway to bolster hospital capacities preparation for upcoming surgeries. The first surgery is scheduled to take place at the end of May, marking the beginning of Mercy Ships’ impactful surgical interventions in Madagascar.

Ms Bos added: “Mercy Ships remains dedicated to its mission of transforming lives through surgical care, and the successful completion of the Patient Registration Phase signifies a significant step forward in fulfilling this mission in Madagascar. Together with training of in-country medical professionals in the coming months, these ongoing partnerships will strengthen Madagascar’s surgical capacity and create lasting positive change.”

ABOUT MERCY SHIPS: 
Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and other healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. An international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused entirely on partnering with African nations for the past three decades. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare professionals and supports the construction of in-country medical infrastructure
to leave a lasting impact.

Each year, more than 3,000 volunteer professionals from over 60 countries serve on board the world’s two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy® and the Global Mercy™. Professionals such as surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical, obstetric and anesthetic care. Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has offices in 16 countries as well as an Africa Service Center in Dakar, Senegal. For more information, visit mercyships.org and follow @MercyShips on social media.