Mercy Ships concludes 2025 Madagascar mission, eyes 2026 return
The Government of Madagascar and Mercy Ships formally concluded the Africa Mercy’s 2025 field service after nearly a year of intensive collaboration aimed at expanding access to surgical care. The mission ends one chapter of partnership while laying the groundwork for the hospital ship’s planned return in May 2026 following scheduled maintenance.
The 2025 deployment marked Mercy Ships’ fifth mission to Madagascar since 1996 and the second straight field service in the port of Tamatave. Over 10 months, volunteer medical teams performed more than 1,370 life-changing surgeries, restoring health and mobility to more than 1,250 patients.
Patients received treatment for a wide range of conditions, including goiters, cataracts, cleft lip and palate, bowed legs, and other complex surgical needs. For many, the procedures represented their first opportunity for specialized care.
Lives changed on and off the ship
Among the most powerful stories of the mission was that of a mother and daughter who had lived in blindness for years. After undergoing surgery aboard the Africa Mercy, they were able to see each other for the first time, a moment that symbolized the mission’s human impact.
Beyond surgery, Mercy Ships’ dental teams delivered more than 7,110 procedures for over 1,140 patients. These services addressed urgent pain, infection, and long-neglected oral health issues that often go untreated due to limited access.
Health Minister Dr. Managa Monira highlighted the partnership’s broader value, noting that collaboration between the Ministry of Public Health and Mercy Ships continues to strengthen Madagascar’s healthcare system and expand access nationwide.
Building a lasting healthcare legacy
Sustainability remained a central focus of the 2025 field service. Since arriving in February, Mercy Ships worked closely with Malagasy healthcare professionals to provide extensive medical education and mentoring.
Training programs covered physiotherapy, surgery, nursing anesthesia, biomedical engineering, dentistry, and laboratory sciences. In total, more than 9,050 training hours were delivered on board the ship, with an additional 11,030 hours conducted on land, involving over 150 local participants.
Education, Training, and Advocacy Director Glenn Wiffin said the commitment of Malagasy professionals underscored the mission’s long-term purpose. He emphasized that empowering local systems ensures the benefits endure long after the ship departs.
As the Africa Mercy prepares to leave Tamatave for its Annual Maintenance Period, Mercy Ships expressed gratitude to the Malagasy people and government for their partnership and trust. Managing Director Nathan Janson noted that more than 1,400 volunteers from over 60 countries served during the mission.
The ship’s scheduled return in May 2026 will mark a third consecutive field service in Madagascar, reinforcing Mercy Ships’ long-term commitment to supporting national healthcare goals and reaching patients still awaiting care.
