When the world feels uncertain, we look for the good. When we realise that health care systems are fragile, we look for security. When we feel that our health is at risk, we look for the helpers.

On 7 April we celebrate World Health Day — a day set aside by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to focus on the impact quality medical care has on the world around us. This year’s theme focuses on two health care professions essential to the work we do: nurses and midwives, who spend their lives providing vital health services. Whether we are in a state of emergency or not, these health care workers around the world respond to need with consistent love and service.

This pandemic has changed the health care environment. It affects all of us. Our social lives, daily routines, family outings, work, the economy and especially those who have contracted the virus. In the midst of all of this stress and uncertainty, our health care workers are doing everything they can to take care of others.

For over 40 years, Mercy Ships has acknowledged the fragility of health care systems around the world. Health care professionals on board our hospital ships have served in more than 50 countries. And today we want to take a moment to lift them up.

It’s encouraging that when there’s a need, this remarkable group of people are quick to respond. We often talk about how lives have been transformed on board our ships. Those transformations are dependent on many processes, but the role our health care professionals serve is priceless. Even though we know that together we care and that together we are Mercy Ships, we couldn’t do what we do without the helpers who are there to care for those who are most vulnerable.

“Mercy Ships creates the opportunity to use your specific skills to bring something important to a country that is not available there. This is done without taking an opportunity away from the local population,” Christina van der Zande, volunteer Palliative Care Nurse Team Leader said. We fulfil an immediate need by supplementing the care available in the country with our specialised surgical care, post-op care, and palliative care. And, at the same time, we want to work ourselves out of a job by training others through our various Medical Capacity Building programs.”

Our volunteers do so much to help support the health care systems of the countries we serve. And while providing life-changing surgeries to those in need is a vital part of the Mercy Ships mission, for patients like Koumba, it’s the difference between a life in continuous pain or a life pursuing her passion.

For over 16 years, Koumba has been serving in her village, bringing new life into the world as a midwife. But about five years ago, her future took an unexpected shift when she noticed a lump starting to develop on her neck. Even with her years of medical experience, Koumba couldn’t access the surgical care she needed. Without an operation, she was fearful of the growing goitre, which made it more difficult for her to do the work she loved.

Koumba was thrilled when she heard about the possibility of surgery on board the Africa Mercy. She quickly travelled to the hospital ship in search of healing.

“My whole village is praying for me — they all want me to get help here so that I can keep helping them,” she said. “I want to be able to keep doing this work. There is nothing like it.”

While on board the ship, Koumba received surgery to remove the painful goitre and was soon on the road to recovery.

“This surgery has brought me so much happiness,” she said. “I can move without pain now. When I go back to the village, I’ll be able to work more than before. I gave help, and I received help. This is happiness.”

There are hundreds of stories like Koumba’s whose lives were forever changed, but none of them would be possible without those who stand beside us — the dedicated volunteers who give of their time and their abilities and our partners, people who give of their resources generously. When we all come together, we are able to provide hope and healing to the forgotten poor.

“I’ve been working in Africa for more than 35 years, and you see people lose their life because they didn’t have access to a simple antibiotic or because they couldn’t afford surgery,” Rosa Whitaker, President of Mercy Ships, said. “So we’re here to help. We’re here to partner. We’re here to provide hope. We’re here to collaborate. We’re here to serve.”

In times of uncertainty, we look for the good. When health care systems are fragile, we look for security. When our health is at risk, we look for the helpers. While acknowledging these emotions, we also believe in HOPE. We’re not alone. Together we love, together we give, together we care, together we overcome. Thank you for your ongoing support, your prayers, and for your generous hearts. We look forward to reaching even more people in need and increasing medical capacity worldwide in the coming years. Together we are Mercy Ships!

Together, We Care!

Some amazing news to brighten our difficult times is that a generous donor from Victoria has promised to double every gift given to Mercy Ships in Australia until the end of April. We are absolutely aware of the pressure so many people are under at this time but wanted to share with you that this is a great time to make a donation, even if only small.

Donate now to make twice the difference before 30 April.