Mercy Ships operates a floating hospital, crewed predominantly by dedicated volunteers, currently docked at the port of Toamasina on the east coast of Madagascar.
The ability of Mercy Ships’ medical team to reach isolated communities has been boosted by MAF flights which have taken staff from Toamasina via Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo to locations like Ambatondrazaka.
This partnership allows Mercy Ships to bring their patient selection process inland, ensuring they reach the most remote and populations in need of surgery.
“The field consultation days are key in meeting the patients close to their home in cultural settings where they feel most comfortable,” Michelle said.
"Assessing the patients, building relationships as well as explaining about the journey they are to expect to the ship and the port city, and what to expect when they actually arrive.”
Mercy Ships Patient Selection Clinical Manager Michelle Farr described how the flights with MAF increased their reach and efficiency.
“Days literally become hours when flying with MAF.”
Michelle spoke as the team flew with MAF from Antsohihy to Ambatondrazaka. The next day, the team travelled to Amparafaravola for a busy day of patient screening, it’s a schedule that could only be achieved with safe, reliable flights into remote communities.
Among the hundreds of patients waiting for assessment was a little girl struggling to walk due to a leg problem. Other common cases included cleft lip, maxillofacial and eye surgery.
"Flying with MAF makes it possible to travel in a much more efficient and safer way,” Michelle added. “This is because the roads can be tough to travel and navigate." Flying with MAF means we can literally fly from one location to the next much quicker.
In many cases, reaching remote villages can take days by car, draining valuable time and energy. However, with the support of MAF Madagascar, the patient selection team can cover vast distances swiftly and safely, enabling them to visit multiple locations within a short period.
The patient selection phase is crucial for Mercy Ships as it determines suitable cases to receive life-changing surgeries on the ship the Africa Mercy.
We are very happy to partner with MAF
MAF flights brought the Mercy Ships team to remote locations including Morafenobe, Maroantsetra, Manakara, Mananjary, Fianarantsoa and Antsohihy. While all these locations are accessible by road, the journey can be challenging and time-consuming, insecure especially in the case of Morafenobe, which is in the west of the country and can take up to five days to reach by road.
MAF pilot Wouter Nagel shared his happiness in flying the patient selection team to remote areas and seeing Malagasy people receiving care.
Flying the team is very satisfactory and that makes me happy