Madagascar to Receive Over 1,400 Free Surgeries as Africa Mercy Returns
The hospital ship Mercy Ships has returned to Madagascar for its third consecutive field service, reaffirming its long-term partnership with the island nation as communities continue recovering from the effects of Cyclone Gezani.
The Africa Mercy docked in Toamasina on Tuesday, marking the sixth visit by Mercy Ships to Madagascar since 1996.
The organisation said the latest mission comes at a critical time following the recent cyclone, which caused widespread disruption in parts of the country. Mercy Ships stated that it remains committed to supporting both emergency recovery efforts and long-term healthcare development through specialised surgical services and medical training.
Speaking on the return of the vessel, Nicholas Ahadjie, Country Director for Mercy Ships in Madagascar, described the continued partnership as a sign of growing trust and cooperation between the organisation and the Malagasy government.
He said the mission would focus not only on delivering free surgical care but also on strengthening the country’s healthcare system to improve long-term resilience.
During the 2026 field service, Mercy Ships plans to carry out more than 1,400 life-changing surgeries and over 1,400 dental procedures for patients across Madagascar.
The organisation will also provide more than 22,500 hours of education and training for healthcare professionals as part of efforts to strengthen local medical capacity.
Madagascar’s newly appointed Minister of Health, Dr Managna Monira, welcomed the partnership, stating that improving access to quality surgical care remains a national priority.
He said collaboration with Mercy Ships is helping the country build a stronger and more sustainable healthcare system while expanding access to specialised medical services for vulnerable communities.
The initiative is aligned with Madagascar’s National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anaesthesia Plan, which aims to strengthen surgical systems nationwide.
Mercy Ships said patient selection is being conducted across several regions to identify individuals requiring specialised treatment in areas including orthopaedic surgery, women’s health, paediatric surgery, ophthalmology, reconstructive plastic surgery, and maxillofacial procedures.
Beyond surgeries, the organisation is continuing broader healthcare programmes in partnership with local and international stakeholders, including clinical education, infrastructure support, and specialist treatment programmes such as clubfoot care.
Senior Director of Programmes at Mercy Ships, Brendan Smith, said the organisation’s focus is to build on previous achievements and ensure long-term improvements in Madagascar’s healthcare system beyond the duration of the field service.
Mercy Ships is also continuing collaborations with organisations including Mission Aviation Fellowship, Freedom From Fistula, and the University of Mahajanga to improve healthcare access across the country.
Since beginning operations in Madagascar in 1996, Mercy Ships has carried out more than 10,940 surgical procedures and over 66,640 dental procedures while training thousands of healthcare workers.
