Mercy Ships transforms life of Madagascan woman with life-saving surgery

A Journey of Hope: Theogette’s Life-Saving Surgery in Madagascar

In a remote corner of Madagascar, a woman named Theogette embarked on a three-day odyssey by canoe and ferry, driven by the hope of receiving a surgery that would transform her life. Her remarkable journey was made possible through the efforts of the medical charity, Mercy Ships.

Ten years ago, Theogette, now 40, noticed the development of a tumor affecting her mouth and jaw. As it grew, it posed severe risks to her health, making it difficult for her to eat and breathe.

Theogette faced social isolation alongside her physical challenges. She shared, “People said I was sick and contagious … They influenced my husband and he left me.” She added, “They [community] don’t like me; they don’t want me to come close to them.”

Access to surgical services in Madagascar is extremely limited, with only 20% of the population able to receive such care. Additionally, for 95% of Madagascans, the costs of surgery are prohibitively high.

The turning point for Theogette came when her nephew, a medical student, informed her about a new Mercy Ships Hospital Outpatient Extension (HOPE) Centre near his university, prompting her to embark on her arduous journey.

Upon arrival at the medical center, it was clear that Theogette was undernourished. Despite these challenges, she successfully underwent surgery and began her recovery.

The operation was led by Leo Cheng, a Maxillofacial Head and Neck Surgeon from the Royal London Hospital. Cheng explained, “If it were not for Mercy Ships, Theogette could have died by slow suffocation as her oxygen supply would have slowly turned off – an awful way to die. Theogette’s tumour not only affected her appearance, but her function of speech, communication, chewing, swallowing and breathing were all affected.”

Ali Herbert, the Operating Room Clinical Supervisor, recounted the poignant moment when Theogette realized the surgery’s success: “There was this incredible moment when Theogette looked in the mirror and put her hand up to her face. Then she realised that the tumour wasn’t there anymore and her hand could move much closer to her face again.

“It’s amazing teamwork that goes into each of these complicated surgeries, but it’s a precious time seeing the patient afterwards, able to gain weight again and return to their families.”