On board the business of hope

摘要

Is it really possible to provide something for nothing? Particularly when that 'something' is state of the art surgery delivered on board a floating hospital to some of the worlds poorest people? Thanks to the efforts of Kiwi volunteers, businesses and supporters it is possible, but every day presents a new challenge when it comes to staying above water. Mercy Ships NZ is part of an international hospital ship charity that has been delivering free, world-class health care, capacity building and sustainable development to those in the developing world since 1978. Currently working in Madagascar, the flagship Africa Mercy is the world's largest civilian hospital ship. Surgical specialities include obstetric fistula repair, orthopaedics, maxillofacial reconstruction (tumour removal, cleft lip and palate repair), burns contractures release, goitre and hernia removal. Dental clinics and agricultural programmes are provided along with, medical education and mentoring programmes for local health care workers. Sharon Walls, who has worked with Mercy Ships for more than 25 years explains: "Mercy Ships goes to places in Africa where health care is almost unobtainable. When we dock, thousands upon thousands of people come to the ship, sometimes even carrying their loved ones for miles to get there and queuing for days to see if their condition, their children's condition or their families can be helped by our surgeons. "Everyone on board - from top surgeons to cooks and engineers are volunteers who fund their own passage. Overheads are kept to a minimum so the funds we raise can keep us on the water "In Africa there is an unprecedented lack of equality Each year, 6.6 million African children die from preventable diseases before they reach their fifth birthday. Hope is offered to people who struggle to survive on impure water, inadequate food and have no access to healthcare.