MAF’s swift response in Sengapi flies pregnant woman and a man with a heart condition for treatment.
Story by Aquila Matit
One MAF flight to the remote village of Sengapi brought two patients to hospital for specialist care that could not be provided in their community.
As the aircraft arrived in Sengapi, Isaac Kaupa, the Officer in Charge (OIC) of Sengapi Health Centre, highlighted the critical nature of the situation.
“The conditions of the patients were severe, and the urgency was paramount,” he said.
“I want to refer these patients, one male patient with chronic heart failure and a female with pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy).”
The urgency of their conditions necessitated immediate medical intervention, which would have been impossible without the swift response of MAF. Upon arrival in Mt Hagen, they were quickly taken to Nazarene Hospital at Kudjip in Jiwaka Province for further treatment.
The patients, Thomas Nomil and Bertinna Dirik, were accompanied by three guardians, ensuring they had the support and comfort needed during the stressful journey.
Bertinna’s husband, Peter Dirik, said that it was difficult for his wife to be treated locally.
“We live at Gabrau village, and it is so far. To get to Sengapi it takes one full day, and we have walked a day to get here,” he said.
“I have seen that it would be difficult there and we have come to Sengapi Health Centre, yet it is hard therefore we are moved to Kudjip Hospital.”
Peter Nomil, the younger brother of Thomas Nomil, who is also the Community Health Worker (CHW) for Aradep, said it was not suitable for him to remain in Sengapi.
“His condition was not okay for us to keep him at the Aradep Aid Post for long, I gave him medicine and prayer groups came in support of prayer to keep his condition steady until we have reached the Sengapi Health Centre,” he said.
“The OIC of the health centre has helped with medicine and saline water yet the condition is still not okay therefore they have helped to send him to a bigger hospital for further treatment.
“If MAF never operated we would have no other hope, we would only keep the patient back in the village and he would lose his life. Since MAF is in operation and such problems arise, MAF is at hand to assist us.”
If MAF never operated we would have no other hope, we would only keep the patient back in the village and he would lose his life. Since MAF is in operation and such problems arise, MAF is at hand to assist us.
Within two weeks of treatment and observation, Bertinna gave birth to two female twins. The couple, with their newly born girls in good condition, remained at Nazarene Hospital but the babies were still being monitored.
Unfortunately for Thomas Nomil, nothing could be done to cure his medical condition.
Peter Nomil said it was best for his brother to return home and remain in the village.
“Doctors have informed me that they could not go any further, they have reached their limit,” he said.
“With that understanding, I as a health worker I understand the doctors have tried their best to help him, so we have agreed to take him back to the village at this time. For our way back, we have tried hard to manage but MAF is always there to assist to take this sick guy back to Sengapi where he could remain with his people and family.”
Mr Kaupa also expressed profound gratitude for the medevac flights, acknowledging MAF’s indispensable role in saving lives in remote areas.
“Without MAF, reaching Kudjip for the necessary medical checks and treatment would have been impossible,” he explained.
