Author: Lobitos Alves
A mother was treated for severe ovarian cysts and chronic gastritis after being flown from Atauro Island by MAF to receive emergency medical treatment at the national hospital in the capital Dili.
Antoniza Ximenes, a 35-year-old mother from Beloi village on Atauro Island, actively participates in church activities in her community and does housework to care for her family.
But the condition she has causes her difficulty and prevents her from performing her daily activities and serving in the church.
“I had a fever and felt pain in my belly. I was unable to eat, so my husband immediately brought me to the health centre to have my condition checked,” said Mrs Ximenes.
“After the nurses performed a physical assessment, they decided I should stay at the health centre for further observation. I stayed for five days, but my condition did not improve.
“Then, they decided to transfer me to the national hospital in Dili via an MAF plane because my condition was critical, and I was unable to travel by boat.”
She was transferred from Atauro Island to Dili by an MAF plane, VH-MAH, which was piloted by Captain Joe Farren.
Antoniza’s husband, Godinho Gonçalves Perreira, a high school teacher, explained how he felt when his wife was in a serious condition.
“When she stayed at the Atauro health centre, I saw that she received 15 bags of intravenous fluids. I was scared and surrendered the situation into God’s hands,” said Mr Perreira.
“I thank God because He showed us the way, and we got the chance to fly with an MAF plane, which helped save my wife’s life.”
I thank God because He showed us the way,...which helped save my wife’s life.
He also explained what it meant to be given a care pack during their stay at the National Hospital of Guido Valadares (HNGV).
“When we arrived in Dili, we received a bag from the MAF team as a special gift, which helped us a lot during that critical moment,” said Mr Perreira.
“This bag contains essential supplies such as biscuits, drinking water, sanitary supplies, and a phone voucher that helped us contact our family during our stay at the hospital.”
They stayed at the hospital for three days before she was discharged, and later returned home by boat.
Mr Perreira was relieved when his wife’s condition improved after receiving treatment.
“It was such a miracle because she recovered within three days and was already discharged,” he said.
“It was a tough moment, but MAF’s presence helped my wife easily reach HNGV and receive emergency treatment. Now, I’m happy because she has recovered, and we are already at home.”
MAF pilot Joe Farren saw the patient’s condition when they visited their home on Atauro Island.
“When MAF turned up, they were so happy because of the role we played in their family's life,” he said.
“I think it’s one of the biggest blessings of my life that we get to meet people in their worst moments and provide opportunities that would otherwise never have existed for them to access better healthcare.”