Jane’s notes from a ‘floating hospital’
Jane White from Kilhorne Parish has just completed 10 months nursing aboard ‘Africa Mercy’, a hospital ship moored in the Madagascan port of Tamatave. She has been team leader on the busy general surgical ward and having returned home for a family wedding, we took the chance to catch up with her…
Jane positively beams when talking about her call to volunteer with Mercy Ships who provide life–changing medical care to people living in poverty.
Her patients are of all ages and most have made long journeys through the countryside to reach the ship. “They always smile,” says Jane. “It doesn’t matter what’s wrong with them, they always smile!”
The ship has an Intensive Care Unit, pharmacy, X–Ray machine and CT scanner, which is sometimes the only one in the country. The hospital is staffed entirely by self–funded volunteers from all over the world and 25 different surgeons have worked aboard in the last 10 months dealing in orthopaedic, plastic, maxillofacial and general surgery. Jane initially had a staff team of 12 nurses but this increased to 20 by the end of the tour.
“One of the best things is seeing my nurses grow through their experiences on the ship. Some arrive not knowing who Jesus is but they don’t go home that way. I explain to them that God is taking them on a journey and moulding them through this experience.”
The patients also get to hear about God. “We always remind the people that it’s God doing this work. We’re all here because of him and we tell them that he is the one who helps us,” she says.
It can be hard to discharge patients, not fully knowing the living conditions to which they will return, but Jane has learned to simply entrust them to God.
As well as 120 medical staff, Africa Mercy has a crew of 350 including a chaplaincy team which also works ashore showing the Jesus Film and visiting orphanages and old people’s homes. The team lead worship on the ward each morning which Jane describes as “A wee taste of heaven every day!”
When Jane goes back on duty the ship will move on to its next port of call – Benin in West Africa – where it is safe to return now that Ebola is under control. The Advance team is already there putting things in place and beginning to consult with the local health authorities who will help to identify patients who are suitable for surgery.
To make a donation to Mercy Ships or to Jane as an individual crew member please visit www.mercyships.org.uk.
Documentary
Watch out for a BBC NI documentary airing in October which will feature the 10–12 crew from Northern Ireland who were serving on this tour.