Harimalala left school because of a goitre. Surgery in Madagascar removed it
It began growing when she was twelve. For years she covered her neck with a scarf and avoided being looked at.
Country
Madagascar
Treatment
Mental Health and Emotional Support
A goitre is an enlarged thyroid gland. It is visible, it is treatable, and where surgery is out of reach it shapes a person's whole social life.
Twelve years old, and then hidden
Harimalala was twelve when the swelling in her neck began. As it grew, so did the staring, and she stopped going to school.
Goitres of this size press on the windpipe and the oesophagus. The physical effects are real, but for many patients it is the withdrawal from ordinary life that does the most damage.
One operation in Madagascar
Thyroid surgery aboard the hospital ship removed the goitre. What she talks about since is not the scar but being able to walk through her community without a scarf.
Mercy Ships - five quick facts
- Free surgery since 1978 - surgical care provided at no cost to the patients we serve.
- Two hospital ships - the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy, each carrying a complete surgical hospital.
- Built for the work - the Global Mercy is the world's largest civilian hospital ship, with six operating rooms and 200 patient beds.
- Crewed by volunteers - around 200 different roles, filled by people from roughly 60 countries who are not paid for their service.
- Invited, not imposed - every field service is agreed with a national government, and training local healthcare professionals is part of it.
