Following last year's assignment to Togo's neighbour Benin, and two months of ship maintenance and re-stocking in Tenerife, the world's largest charity hospital ship Africa Mercy heads back to West Africa. There have been three previous assignments to the nation of more than six million people.
Through the years, Mercy Ships has referenced the United Nations Human Development Index to find areas of greatest need. Many of the poorest nations fall within a grid formed by 15° north and south of the equator and 15° east and west of the Prime Meridian. Togo is one of the least developed countries in the world, ranking 159 out of 182 countries on the 2009 Human Development Index.
An estimated 70% of the population lives on less than $2 a day. Access to health care is very inadequate, even for those who can afford to visit a clinic. There is only one doctor for every 28,500 people. In Togo, out of every 1000 live births, 140 children will die before the age of 5. Life expectancy for men is 61 years and for women 64 years.
The Africa Mercy with a volunteer crew of more than 400 will provide a range of free surgeries to correct disability, deformity and blindness; along with a wide range of community health and development programs aimed at helping the people of Togo bring themselves out of poverty. As surgeries are provided in the onboard hospital with its six operating theatres, training will be provided for local surgeons and other medical professionals. As in other West African nations served by Mercy Ships, women suffering from obstetric fistulas resulting from prolonged or obstructed labour during childbirth will be given corrective surgery.
Over the coming months, many Australians will travel to Togo at their own expense to serve as short-term volunteers for periods from a few weeks to six months. Several Australians are also among the long-term crew onboard.
Mercy Ships is a global charity that has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978 providing free health care and community development services to the forgotten poor.
Following the example of Jesus, Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the poor. Working in partnership with local people, Mercy Ships empowers communities to help themselves. The result is a way out of poverty.
Since 1978, volunteers serving with Mercy Ships have had an impact on the lives of millions of people in the world's poorest nation. Mercy Ships has provided services valued at more than $800 million.
*Performed more than 41,000 surgeries such as cleft lip and palate, cataract removal, orthopaedic reconstruction and obstetric fistula repair.
*Treated more than 230,000 people in village medical clinics.
*Performed more than 205,000 dental treatments.
*Taught over 14,500 local health care and professional workers, who have in turn trained others.
*Taught 105,000 local people in primary health care.
*Delivered more than $70 million worth of medical equipment, hospital and other supplies.
*Completed more than 1,000 community development projects focusing on water and sanitation, education, infrastructure development and agriculture.
*Demonstrated the love of God to people in over 550 port visits in 70 different nations.
*More than 1,600 short-term volunteers serve with Mercy Ships each year.
On the web: www.mercyships.org.au