The Melbourne Royal Children’s Hospital’s Dr David Chong is one of a very special group of volunteers who regularly spends time on the Mercy Ships operating on and changing the lives of children and adults with various afflictions including severe facial disfigurement, who would not otherwise have access to much needed surgery.

On Thursday May 16th 2019, across the world in Guinea, Dr Chong performed the Mercy Ship’s 100,000th surgical procedure, a Cleft lip correction on 7 month old Aissata.

These hospital ships are staffed by volunteers who are deployed to the places where surgeons are needed most. These surgeons also train local medical professionals who will stay in their home countries to perform surgery and provide ongoing care.