Transformed by surgical care



An Auckland nurse has completed her fifth tour of duty with Mercy Ships, and is inspired by the resilience of her patient who come from countries often lacking basic health care.
Maggie, aged 35, had lived her whole life with a severe facial disfiguration, caused by a flesh eating disease she contracted as a baby. The Senegal woman has now undergone lifechanging facial reconstruction surgery — rebuilding her nose and one side of her face — aboard a Mercy Ships floating hospital. Maggie is one of the patients cared for by Auckland volunteer nurse Julie Murphy in her latest tour of duty for Mercy Ships, in Senegal, West Africa. “I wanted to offer my nursing experience and skills to help people directly. I have seen first-hand how Mercy Ships changes a patient’s life. Life-transforming – and in some case life saving – surgery restores a person’s place in their family,” explains Julie Murphy. “Many have been outcast from their family and community due to cultural beliefs, such as the tumour or sickness is a sign the person is evil or cursed. {Post-operative patients are then able to return to living and contributing in their community.”Recent posts
Bridging the anaesthesia gap
With 12 anaesthestists serving Guinea, West Africa’s 13 million people, a partnership to help strengthen local anaesthesia capacity was a logical step for Mercy Ships.
Rafael, Mexico 1987
Rafael, Mexico 1987 Graeme with Rafael’s photo after surgery Rafael’s transformation Surgeon Dr Gary Parker and Rafael Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Rafael Rafael was a man completely transformed.
Raising the bar for safe surgical care
Dr Juliette Tuakli explains why access to safe, timely, and affordable surgery is crucial for achieving ‘Health for All’ in Africa.
The false dichotomy of relief and development
Dr Mark Shrime advocates for a dual approach in strengthening surgical systems. With 2/3 of the world lacking access to surgical care, the complexity of the issue is highlighted, emphasizing the need for transformative change, partnership, and balanced efforts between relief and development.
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