In a life-saving mission, MAF partnered with the Rai Coast District Development Authority to transport critically-ill patients from remote villages to the YWAM medical ship stationed at Saidor.
Story by Mandy Glass
The people of Nankina and Mibu live in some of the most remote and rugged terrain in Papua New Guinea - deep in the heart of the Finisterre Mountain Range, where access to medical care is nearly impossible. MAF facilitated several urgent patient transfer flights from these villages to the coastal centre of Saidor, providing a vital link to healthcare that would otherwise be out of reach.
“There’s just so much need because of how difficult the terrain is,” said Brad Venter, MAF’s General Manager of Aviation in PNG and one of the MAF pilots involved in the operation. “Some of the ladies could hardly even get into the airplane without help. Without the plane, they definitely wouldn’t have had an opportunity to get any kind of medical care at all.”
MAF really helped us to move the very critical ones who cannot walk at all. If they were to walk, it would take them 6–7 hours to reach the coast where Saidor station is. Currently, there is no road link between Saidor and Nayudo LLG. The only means of transport is by plane.
The flights supported people from eight wards in Nankina Valley, Nayudo. A total of 27 patients - many critically ill and unable to walk - were flown to Saidor for treatment.
“MAF really helped us to move the very critical ones who cannot walk at all,” said Salomon Nani, First Secretary to the Member for Rai Coast. “If they were to walk, it would take them 6-7 hours to reach the coast where Saidor station is. Currently, there is no road link between Saidor and Nayudo LLG (local-level government). The only means of transport is by plane.”
After landing at Saidor, one of the passengers, Mark from Mibu, expressed his deep appreciation.
“I am really grateful to MAF for flying me and other patients. Some of us have eye problems, and others I flew with brought their sick babies,” Mark said. “We are all very grateful. MAF always serves us well and helps us. I am really thankful for the opportunity to come here so that our sick people could be treated.”
Nancy Ikate, MAF’s PNG Booking and Operations Centre Manager, shared how the mission came together.
“The district office reached out to MAF to assist with transporting sick patients from Mibu and Nankina to be flown to Saidor where the YWAM (Youth With A Mission) ship was stationed. Although the request was short notice, God made a way, and we were able to assist them.”
Goroka-based pilot Andy Symmonds flew one flight from Mibu and two from Nankina, ensuring that patients could reach the care they urgently needed.
“People were generally very happy that this was happening—very glad they could fly down and get medical care,” said Brad when doing the return flights.
With the recent revision of an agreement between the District Development Authority and MAF, patient transfer flights have now been included to regularly assist people in critical condition.
“We are yet to receive the full medical report, but we know these flights saved lives,” said Salomon.
Mibu resident Biop Sessi summed it up: “Thank you for the huge help MAF has provided for us, by helping to transport the sick people to here. And we are very grateful for that.”
By stepping in with patient transfer flights, the Rai Coast District Development Authority teaming up with MAF ensured that even the most isolated communities in the heart of the Finisterre Ranges received access to healthcare.
“It’s a very long walk to get down there, a couple of days, and the altitude difference is quite significant,” said MAF pilot Brad Venter after flying shuttles between remote mountain villages and the medical ship.
“The airstrips are all around 4,000 or 5,000 feet, and the weather closes in very quickly. I was only able to get two loads back because clouds moved in so fast.”
