Mercy Ships Concludes Successful Madagascar Field Service
The Government of Madagascar and international medical charity Mercy Ships have marked the successful conclusion of the Africa Mercy’s® 2025 field service, following ten months of collaboration aimed at strengthening surgical care and health capacity in the country.
The conclusion of the field service signals the end of a significant phase of partnership and the beginning of another, as the hospital ship prepares to undergo routine maintenance before returning to Madagascar in May 2026.
The 2025 field service marked Mercy Ships’ fifth visit to Madagascar since 1996 and the second consecutive deployment of the Africa Mercy to the port city of Tamatave. During the mission, more than 1,370 life-changing surgeries were performed for over 1,250 patients, treating conditions including goitres, cataracts, cleft lips, bowed legs and other surgically correctable conditions.
Among the most moving cases was that of a blind mother and daughter who were able to see each other’s faces for the first time following successful surgeries on board the ship. In addition to surgical care, Mercy Ships provided more than 7,110 dental procedures to over 1,140 patients.
Minister of Public Health, Dr Managa Monira, praised the partnership between the government and the organisation, stating that the collaboration has contributed to strengthening the national health system and improving access to healthcare services.
Since its first visit to Madagascar, Mercy Ships has worked with the Malagasy government to deliver more than 7,770 surgical procedures and over 57,930 dental treatments nationwide.
Beyond direct patient care, Mercy Ships continues to invest in long-term capacity building. Since February, the organisation has partnered with the Ministry of Health to deliver extensive medical training aimed at strengthening Madagascar’s surgical and healthcare systems. Training programmes included physiotherapy mentoring, surgical training, biomedical engineering, dental and laboratory technician education, and nurse anaesthetic mentoring.
During the 2025 field service, the team delivered more than 9,050 training hours on board the ship and over 11,030 training hours off-ship, engaging more than 150 healthcare professionals.
Education, Training and Advocacy Director Glenn Wiffin said the dedication of Malagasy healthcare workers demonstrated the lasting impact of investing in local capacity, noting that empowering local professionals ensures sustainable improvements beyond the organisation’s presence.
As the Africa Mercy prepares to depart Tamatave for its Annual Maintenance Period, Mercy Ships expressed gratitude to the people and government of Madagascar for their support, hospitality and commitment to improving access to surgical care.
Nathan Janson, Managing Director of the Africa Mercy, said more than 1,400 volunteers from over 60 countries served on board during the mission, describing the experience as a shared journey of hope and healing.
The Africa Mercy is scheduled to return to Madagascar in May 2026 for a third consecutive field service, reaffirming Mercy Ships’ long-term commitment to supporting the country’s efforts to strengthen its national healthcare system.
