A 16-YEAR-OLD girl from northern Madagascar has become the first patient to undergo life-changing surgery aboard the Africa Mercy® hospital ship during Mercy Ships’ latest mission. Rosalinda, from Mananara, received the free procedure on March 10, 2025, marking the start of a ten-month programme that will offer up to 1,700 surgeries.
The teenager had been living with a growing tumour on her neck for three years, which doctors feared could become cancerous. Without access to affordable surgical care, she was left with little hope—until Mercy Ships returned to Madagascar.
A new start for Rosalinda
Rosalinda first noticed a lump on her neck when she was 13. Orphaned at a young age, she dropped out of school to help her father’s tailoring business while the tumour steadily worsened.
‘I don’t like it. It’s a disease that ruined my face,’ she said, recalling the struggle of trying to hide the swelling as it grew more prominent.
After her father’s death in 2024, Rosalinda went to live with her uncle and aunt in Toamasina. There, she learned about the free surgeries being offered by Mercy Ships. Encouraged by her uncle—who had sought treatment himself—Rosalinda overcame her fears and was approved for surgery.
A life-changing operation
Her operation was performed by Dr Mark Shrime, a maxillofacial surgeon from the United States, who removed the submandibular gland tumour during a three-hour procedure.
‘These tumours can keep growing and eventually threaten a person’s ability to eat or breathe,’ explained Dr Shrime. ‘Fortunately, the surgery went very smoothly without complications.’
Rosalinda’s operation is the first in a series of planned procedures during Mercy Ships’ 2025 field service in Madagascar. The Africa Mercy team aims to provide free surgeries, dental procedures, and medical training in partnership with Madagascar’s government.
A mission to transform lives
Mercy Ships’ return to Madagascar follows a major refit of the Africa Mercy. The NGO’s latest mission is supported by the President of Madagascar and several government ministries, including Health, Foreign Affairs, and Finance.
Nathan Jansen, Managing Director of Africa Mercy, expressed gratitude for the cooperation that made the mission possible. ‘We’re thrilled to begin surgeries and look forward to seeing the impact on patients like Rosalinda,’ he said.
Over the next ten months, Mercy Ships plans to deliver over 1,700 surgeries, 1,480 dental procedures, and specialised training for Malagasy healthcare professionals. The work aims to strengthen the country’s healthcare system, ensuring lasting improvements beyond the field service.
About Mercy Ships
Mercy Ships is an international humanitarian organisation that operates hospital ships offering free surgical care in developing nations. Their services include general surgery, maxillofacial surgery, reconstructive plastic surgery, ophthalmic surgery, and paediatric orthopaedics.
The charity’s collaboration with Madagascar’s Ministry of Health has ensured patients from 12 regions can access treatment during this mission.
