Togo 2012 Partners Reception

Posted by Mercy Ships staff on Feb 17, 2012 at 03:30 pm

At the end of January, over 120 partners and supporters attended the Mercy Ships Togo 2012 Partners Reception onboard the Africa Mercy. Attendees included government officials from the Togolese Ministry of Health and other ministries, NGO representatives, church leaders and diplomatic officers, including the German ambassador to Togo, Mr. Joseph Weiss.  
     
The reception began with hospitality and conversation in the Mid-Ships Lounge. Guests renewed friendships formed during the four previous visits of Mercy Ships to Togo, and acquaintances were made with new Mercy Ships sponsors in attendance, including Rotary Lomé Zenith.     
    
In the International Lounge presentation room, guests learned more about the upcoming medical service. Dr. Gary Parker, the Mercy Ships Chief Medical Officer, began by expressing the sentiments of the entire Africa Mercy crew, saying, “It’s wonderful to be back in beautiful Togo.”    
    
Dr. Parker then outlined the medical and capacity-building services that will be provided to the people of Togo during this field service, focusing on surgeries that will correct and eliminate disfigurements that so often lead to isolation from family and community.     
   
Using the example of the eye team’s work, Dr. Parker emphasized the hope and healing that Mercy Ships brings.  “For each person who receives their sight, two people are set free – the  person themselves and their grandchild who has had to be their eyes to keep them from hurting themselves,” he observed.        

Donovan Palmer, the Managing Director of the Africa Mercy, acknowledged the appreciation that Mercy Ships has for the government of Togo. “Twenty years ago Mercy Ships did not have an established relationship in the region, and we could not find a country that would receive us. Togo decided to be the first country to allow the former ship, the Anastasis, to dock and start serving in West Africa. In many ways, Togo is the birthplace of Mercy Ships in West Africa,” he said.       

The growing partnership between Mercy Ships and the Togolese Ministry of Health in increasing health care delivery systems was also highlighted.  “During our visit in 2010, we partnered on phase one of a capacity-building project at the Bè Kpota-Anfamé Health Center. The facility provided additional beds for Mercy Ships surgical patients. When we departed, the facility became a maternity unit that to-date has delivered over 1,000 babies. For the 2012 Togo Field Service, Minister Agba and myself officially opened phase two, the short-term housing facility for this field service, that will revert to community health care after we go,” Palmer added.      
 
Ms. A. Akpedza Nomenyo concluded the presentations by speaking on behalf of His Excellency, Mr. Charles Agba, the Minister of Health. “For years now, we have always appreciated this reception that you organize for partners while you are here. We would like to express to you from the heart how much we also appreciate our continuing partnership with Mercy Ships,” she stated.
       
Guests completed their visit to the Africa Mercy with an informative tour. As summed up by one government official, “I am so inspired to see all of the patient wards, equipment and medical crew ready for patients. Togo is truly blessed to have the Mercy Ships state-of-the-art hospital here.”

Story by Joanne Thibault
Edited by Nancy Predaina
Photos by J.J. Tiziou

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