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Guinea is one of the least developed countries in the world.More than 60% live below the poverty line of $ 1 per day. Three quarters of the population is illiterate. Health care is substandard and priceless for most of the people.These portraits are from people with different kind of diseases who will maybe be helped or been helped by the Ngo Mercy Ships on the hospital ship "African Mercy", that is docked in the capital Conakry. From simple operations as cataract, teeth problems, skin diseases to more delicate orthopaedic or tumor surgery are operated by surgeons , doctors and caring nurses who work voluntary on the hospital ship. Specified text. Makone Soumaoro, 30 years, goitre 2018;I don't have pain, but I am worried that my neck swells that much.I hope that it is not a tumor, because I am a housewife and my man and three children need me. (Stephan Vanfleteren/Panos for Mercy Ships/De Standaard) NO SALES, THIS MATERIAL IS FOR SINGLE USE PUBLICATIONS IN PRINT OR FOR A TEMPORARY ONLINE PUBLICATION, AND MAY BE USED EXCLUSIVELY TO PUBLICIZE THE 2013 WORLD PRESS CONTEST AND EXHIBITION. IT MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED AS PART OF AN ARTICLE OR ANY OTHER ITEM THAT CONTAINS NO DIRECT LINK TO WORLD PRESS PHOTO AND ITS ACTIVITIES. THE PICTURE MAY NOT BE CROPPED OR MANIPULATED IN ANY WAY. - KEYSTONE PROVIDES ACCESS TO THIS PUBLICLY DISTRIBUTED HANDOUT PHOTO. THE COPYRIGHT IS OWNED BY A THIRD PARTY ** This material is for single publications in print or for a temporary online publication, and may be used exclusively to publicize the 2013 World Press Photo contest and exhibition. It may not be published as part of an article or any other item that contains no direct link to World Press Photo and its activities without prior permission from the photographer or agency.