By Kadijatu Bangura, Daily Scope Reporter
When 10-month-old Memunatu boarded the Global Mercy™, a state-of-the-art hospital ship, she carried the heavy burden of a large tumor on her neck, which severely impacted her ability to swallow, eat, speak, and even cry. Her mother, Aminata, had sought help from numerous doctors, but none could provide a solution.
That changed with a single encounter. Mercy Ships volunteer Anne-Marie van Tonder, moved by the plight of Memunatu and Aminata, connected them with the Global Mercy. Soon, Memunatu was under the care of Dr. Leo Cheng, a seasoned maxillofacial surgeon from the United Kingdom, who has dedicated two decades to volunteering with Mercy Ships.
Dr. Cheng quickly recognized the urgency of Memunatu’s situation. While the tumor was non-cancerous, it posed serious risks to her survival. “Without surgery, her condition would have continued to worsen and could have become life-threatening,” he explained.
Globally, an estimated 5 billion people lack access to safe, affordable surgical care, contributing to preventable deaths every two seconds from treatable conditions. Research published in The Lancet Oncology underscores that delays in surgical care, even for benign tumors, can escalate health complications and lead to psychosocial stigma, isolating patients from their communities.
Determined to spare Memunatu from such a fate, Dr. Cheng prepared for a delicate surgery. With her airway already compromised, the procedure required exceptional coordination between the surgical and nursing teams. “With every millimeter, I was estimating and calculating to prevent any bleeding. It went very slowly but positively,” he recalled.
After the surgery, the transformation was remarkable. As the swelling subsided, Memunatu’s beautiful face reemerged, her eyes shining with light and joy. Dr. Cheng reflected on the broader implications of her healing: “Every surgery like this reminds us that access to safe surgery is not a luxury but a necessity. Restoring someone’s face restores their humanity, acceptance, and hope.”
About Mercy Ships
Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that provide free surgeries and healthcare services to those with limited access to safe medical care. As an international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused on partnerships in Africa for over three decades. In collaboration with local healthcare professionals, they also work to build medical infrastructure and provide training to ensure lasting impacts.
Each year, over 2,500 volunteers from more than 60 countries serve on the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy® and the Global Mercy™, including surgeons, nurses, and engineers who dedicate their skills to enhance access to safe surgical and anesthetic care. Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships has offices in 16 countries and an Africa Service Center in Dakar, Senegal.
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