Tag Archive for: Madagascar

Mother’s Tumor Removed Through a Chance Encounter with Mercy Ships

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Une femme de 45 ans s'est vu retirer gratuitement une tumeur de la taille d'une orange après avoir été repérée par des membres de l'organisation humanitaire internationale Mercy Ships dans son village à Madagascar.

Hospital Ship Africa Mercy® Returns to Madagascar: A Joint Initiative to Strengthen Access to Surgical Care and Healthcare Training

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.

Serving With Mercy Ships: A Journey of Hope and Growth

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Servir avec Mercy Ships est plus qu'un simple travail ; c'est un périple qui transforme non seulement la vie des patients, mais aussi celle des bénévoles et de l'équipage de jour qui se consacrent à cette cause. Pour Josoa Mino, un jeune homme de Madagascar, rejoindre l’ONG a ouvert des portes à des opportunités qu'il n'aurait jamais crues possibles.

“Real Sacrificial Heart”: The Story of a Hospital Director

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It’s been almost two decades since Merryl Mackenzie, now 65 years old, began her journey with Mercy Ships. In 2007, Merryl left her home in Australia and came to Ghana, West Africa – arriving on New Year’s Eve to serve as an operating room nurse on the Anastasis, just before it was retired. She worked alongside volunteer surgeon, Dr. Gary Parker, doing maxillofacial surgeries. Having taken a temporary leave of absence from the hospital where she worked, the mother of three stayed aboard the ship for three weeks in pursuit of a childhood dream.

Police officer first to receive surgery as hospital ship returns to Sierra Leone to deliver life-transforming surgical care and training

FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024: A 32-year-old police officer became the first patient to receive life-transforming surgery on board Mercy Ships’ hospital ship yesterday as the vessel returned to Sierra Leone to deliver a further 1,400-plus surgeries over the next 10 months.

Finding Freedom from a Tumor After 15 Years: Fidisoa’s Journey

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The tumor on 38-year-old Fidisoa’s back started out just like a tiny pimple... then it turned into a lump... and eventually grew to the size of a fist. Before long, the tumor had grown to such a size that when Fidisoa wore a shirt, any onlooker would have assumed he carried a backpack underneath.   Now 53, Fidisoa has come a long way, having spent the last 15 years of his life shadowed by the massive tumor on his back – but he’s always remained determined to find a solution. 

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.

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

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

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.