‘Mercy’ boat saves mother in labour

JUST hours after its launch, the MV Hinau Natuna, Milne Bay’s sea ambulance, had its first test –  a major emergency call from the small and remote village of Losuia in the Trobriand Islands.
A first-time mother was facing prolonged labour and the baby was in a breach position.
The mother had been in labour at the Losuia Health Centre for 24 hours, and without pro­per medical attention she and her child were facing slim chances of survival.
There were few options for staff who were caring for the mother and doing their best.
The 90-minute flight to Alotau General Hospital was not leaving for another 72 hours.
Small ferries, a popular means of transport in the islands would take 32 hours to deliver the mother to the hospital.
The commonly used 24-foot dinghy with a 40-horse power engine would be too risky over such a distance.
An estimated 1,500 women die in childbirth every year in PNG.
On this occasion, however, the Hinau Natuna was standing by.
The Milne Bay health authority dispatched the ambulance 8.30 the same night with an Australian boat trainer James Green, an obstetrician, a doctor and two crew members.
After 15 hours of tra­velling in rough seas and strong winds, the ambulance arrived at Losuia Health Centre to collect the mother, who was in immense pain.
The medical specialists provided treatment on board the  Hinau Natuna for the return journey to Alotau.
Baby Isaac was delivered safely albeit through Caesarean at the Alotau General Hospital and the mother and baby returned to Losuia this week. 
Chief executive officer for Milne Bay Health Authority, Billy Naidi said the emergency typified the health needs of the province and the sea ambulance would help save lives throughout the islands.
“We named the vessel the Hinau Natuna, meaning ‘my mother’s child’ in the Tawala dialect of Milne Bay to signify the commitment of the provincial authority to  help mothers deliver safely,” Naidi said.