In collaboration with the Malagasy government and the Ministry of Health, Mercy Ships has made a tremendous impact across the island nation over the years. Since 1996, there have been 11,000+ life-changing surgical procedures and 65,000+ successful dental procedures. In addition, 2,500+ medical professionals have received specialised training to help improve local healthcare systems.
On February 11, 2025, the Africa Mercy returned to the port of Toamasina with plans to bring hope and healing to even more Malagasy people, helping those in need gain access to safe surgical care and providing medical education and training to local healthcare professionals.
Mercy Ships is working with the Ministry of Health to select patients from across 12 regions in Madagascar. In 2025, the number of surgeries is expected to reach between 1,375 and 1,620, with the number of dental procedures estimated to be around 1,480.
Each surgery has the potential to create lasting change in the families and communities of Madagascar. This work is made possible with the help of the President of Madagascar, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance.
Andry Rakotovao, Acting Governor of the Atsinanana Region, was present during the Africa Mercy’s arrival, and expressed great anticipation at her return. “It’s an honour and a pleasure to welcome back Mercy Ships. We hope to save many lives this year through the work of Mercy Ships in Toamasina. I wish a lot of success for the mission ahead.”
Charting a Course Together
This year, Mercy Ships will continue to focus on providing both surgical care as well as surgical education and training. Much of this work takes place through the organisation’s fleet of hospital ships and their dedicated volunteer crew – the heartbeat of our operations.
Mercy Ships brings state-of-the-art medical facilities directly into port, offering free and safe surgeries on board across a range of specialties, such as General, Maxillofacial, Opthalmic, Reconstructive Plastic, Paediatric Orthopedic, and Pediatric Specialised General.
In addition, the Mercy Ships Education, Training, and Advocacy (ETA) programs (both on- and off-ship) are designed to meet local healthcare providers and students where they are, equipping them with crucial knowledge and skills to improve surgical conditions on a national level.
These efforts enable long-lasting education and sustainable development of Madagascar’s surgical and anaesthetic systems. Mercy Ships continues to work with Madagascar’s government to identify opportunities to invest in the nation’s surgical care system.
Erin Ugai, Senior Director for Education, Training, and Advocacy, explains: “Mercy Ships is partnering with universities across Madagascar to support clinical training of their students and residents in surgery, anaesthesia, nursing and dentistry through placements on board the Africa Mercy and in collaboration with Mercy Ships Guinea. We are looking forward to developing our partnerships to invest more in the surgical and education systems in Madagascar in 2025.”
The lack of accessibility to surgical care in Madagascar is staggering, with the population vastly outnumbering the tools, facilities, and medical professionals available. For every 10,000 Malagasy, only 1.76 doctors, 2.92 nurses, and 0.08 dentists are available, compared to the recommended 20-40 surgeons per 100,000 by the World Health Organisation.
This means that there’s little hope for patients to receive timely procedures at the hands of a professional, much less afford the operation. Until more trained medical professionals enter the local healthcare system, the only solution for many in immediate need is safe, free surgical care. This is what Mercy Ships is all about!
Healing On the Horizon
Work is underway to prepare for the first surgeries, planned for March 2025. Patient registration and selection is taking place in various locations across the country, ensuring that those in need of surgical care will have every opportunity to be considered. To reach as many people as possible, Mercy Ships is collaborating with local radio stations to announce patient selection opportunities in multiple regions.
Sherif Emil, International Chief Medical Officer, emphasises our continued mission: “Mercy Ships is glad to return to Madagascar to continue to nurture its long-standing relationship with the Malagasy people, and to provide surgical care where it is needed most. We will build on what we accomplished together so far and continue to lay the foundation for a better future of surgical care for the nation.”
As we witness a new season of hope and healing in Madagascar, Mercy Ships is grateful for the continued support of our cherished partners, donors, and volunteers, whose continued involvement continuously improves individual lives, communities, and entire healthcare ecosystems of the countries we serve.
Do you feel called to bring lasting change to those in need? There’s always space at Mercy Ships for people like you! Whether you’d like to show your support through donating, volunteering, or simply prayer – discover the many ways you can get involved and help us bring hope and healing to the world.
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