Teenager Receives First Life-Changing Surgery As Hospital Ship Launches New Phase In Madagascar

A 16-year-old girl is now free from a growing tumor on her neck after becoming the first patient to undergo surgery with international charity Mercy Ships in Madagascar in 2025.

Rosalinda, from Mananara in northern Madagascar, received free surgery on Monday, 10th March, 2025, on board the Africa Mercy® hospital ship. The procedure removed a submandibular gland mass that could have become cancerous if left untreated. Her surgery marks the first of up to 1,700 life-changing surgeries planned during the next ten months.

The aspiring tailor was just 10 years old when she lost her mother. At 13, she noticed a small lump forming on her neck. She left school to help her father with their small clothing business, but the tumor continued to grow, becoming impossible to hide.

“It’s a disease and I don’t like it,” Rosalinda admitted. “In addition to that, it ruined my face,” she shared. With no affordable surgical options, she had no choice but to try and live with it.

In 2024, tragedy struck again when her father also died. Now orphaned, Rosalinda went to live with her uncle and aunt in the port city of Toamasina unaware that the Africa Mercy was delivering free surgeries that could change her life. Her uncle sought treatment for a lipoma he had, and he encouraged her to do the same.

“I was a bit afraid when I heard about surgery, but I felt more comfortable after talking to my uncle about his journey with Mercy Ships,” Rosalinda reflected.

As the Africa Mercy returned from maintenance in February 2025, Rosalinda attended a screening and was scheduled for surgery—becoming the first patient as the ship reopened for a new field service.

Dr. Mark Shrime, an American maxillofacial head and neck surgeon, performed the three-hour procedure. “These tumors, if they’re left alone, will grow and grow,” said Dr. Shrime. “They could start to become threatening to her airway or her ability to eat.”

After the successful operation, he said: “It was very smooth, the tumor came out without any complications at all.”

Each surgery has the potential to create lasting change in the families and communities of Madagascar. This work is made possible with the help of the President of Madagascar, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance.

Nathan Jansen, Managing Director of the Africa Mercy, said: “We are so thankful for all of the work that has gone into preparing for the start of surgeries today on the Africa Mercy. From our volunteer crew and supporting staff around the world to our partnership with the Ministry of Public Health and the government of Madagascar, we are thrilled to begin our surgical schedule today.

“Our prayer is that together we will see over 1,700 surgeries performed with hundreds of hours of education and training of local medical professionals on board during our field service which will last through December. We are looking forward to sharing patient stories of how their surgeries have impacted them and their families in the coming weeks and months.”

Mercy Ships is an international NGO that operates state-of-the-art hospital ships, bringing free, safe surgeries to people in need. On board the Africa Mercy, volunteer professionals provide specialized care in General Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery, Ophthalmic Surgery, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, and Pediatric Specialized General Surgery.

The current field service in Madagascar was launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, which facilitated patient selection from 12 locations across the country. Alongside surgical care, Mercy Ships plans to perform around 1,480 dental procedures and provide specialized medical training and education to support Madagascar’s healthcare system.