Quick action helps save lives

 A HEALTH worker assisted a mother having complications during labour, saving her and the baby in Western, a health official says.

Ok Tedi Development Foundation-funded community mine continuation agreement Middle and South Fly health programme official Rita Kengem John said she was on patrol with her team when they were told of the mother’s situation and rushed her to Suki Health Centre.

“I monitored the mother for 29 hours and kept close communication by radio with Dr Mike Lewis, Dr Sarah Luthy and Dr Kevin Pondikon at the Rumginae Hospital,” she said.

She said when the woman’s condition was stable, she organised a medical evacuation from the rural health centre to Rumginae Hospital.

“I knew that if we did not evacuate the mother, both she and the baby would die,” she said.

She said Mission Aviation Fellowship agreed to fly the mother to Rumginae Hospital.

John said the mother underwent a caesarean section and a healthy boy weighing 3.5 kilograms was delivered. 

“I am very thankful that we were able to save two lives and that we have dedicated people working in rural villages of Western,” she said.

“It is a tough place to live and work in but I thank the Community Mine South Fly Health Programme for sending us to rural villages. 

“It is there that we can change lives and save lives too.”