Hospital Ship Africa Mercy Arrives in Madagascar
The Africa Mercy, the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship, has arrived in the Republic of Madagascar for Mercy Ships first visit to the country since 1996. The ship will be docked for the next eight months in Toamasina providing free specialized surgeries.
The ship was welcomed to a festive atmosphere and was greeted by the president, His Excellency Hery Rajaonarimampianina and his wife, Voahangy Rajaonarimampianina, along with Prime Minister Roger Kolo and his wife, Zakia Katoun, and many other dignitaries and invited guests. The ceremonies included a brief tour of the ship, statements of joy and thanksgiving by Rajaonarimampianina, Kolo and Roland Decorvet, managing director for the Africa Mercy, along with presentations of Dihy Gasy, a Malagasy dance that demonstrates the everyday life and mindset of a Malagasy native.
“We want to take this moment to express all our thanks for all those that have been participating in the realization of this project today,” said Kolo. “We are honored and privileged to have you here in our country and in Tamatave, being able to work with us and serve.”
“More than the medical care that you are offering, you are bringing life to the Malagasy,” Rajaonarimampianina shared enthusiastically. “It is the goal of the president to transform the nation – a nation that has suffered 50 years of poverty. It is our goal in the government to bring hope again to our nation and it is the same mission that Mercy Ships has.”
The Africa Mercy brings with her a crew of over 400 professional volunteers from more than 35 nations that will not only provide medical services to Madagascar’s population of 22 million but will also provide mentorship and training to Malagasy health care professionals.
During its eight month service period, Mercy Ships estimates that it will provide nearly 1,000 surgical procedures and approximately 700 cataracts removals in the hospital onboard the ship.
The work of volunteers serving with the Mercy Ships charity onboard Africa Mercy will be featured in an hour-long episode of the TV series Mighty Ships. Mighty Ships will screen on Australian Seven Network's 7TWO on Sunday, November the 2nd at 7.30 pm. The program shows life on board and the work being done by a volunteer crew of more than 460 people in West Africa.
Alan Burrell, Managing Director of Mercy Ships Australia, says: “there are thousands of Australians who have served as volunteers on one of the ships operated by Mercy Ships over the last 35 years. This hour-long episode on the hospital ship will bring back many memories for them.”
Mighty Ships was produced for Discovery Channel Canada, and acquired by the Seven Network in Australia. The Emmy-award winning series is a behind the scenes look at some of the sea's most impressive vessels, from pirate-hunting naval frigates and high-tech ocean dredgers to luxury cruise ships and lethal nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Among such ships is the Africa Mercy, which docks in the world's poorest nations as volunteers provide free medical care to the poorest of the poor. The ship is equipped with six operating theatres, a 78-bed hospital, state-of-the-art equipment and accommodation for volunteer crew members.
Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free health care services, capacity building and sustainable development to those without access in the developing world. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than $1 billion, treating more than 2.48 million direct medical beneficiaries.
