Deep in East Sepik province lie communities that most of the world has forgotten, some waiting years for a healthcare visit. A team of seven from Kompiam Hospital, supported by Mission Aviation Fellowship set out to change that.
Story by Hillim Gitonga
Maureen Maharigu, Director of Nursing Services and team leader had planned a visit to cover two villages, Munduku and Imboin. What unfolded over three days was part mission accomplished and part unexpected detour. A story of resilience.
The team boarded an MAF plane and thirty minutes later they arrived in Munduku. A community of roughly 3,127 people reached only by a small aircraft or river. It was the first time Enga Baptist Health Services had ever visited.
The community welcomed the team with mud painted faces and an hour long cultural ceremony.
"After 51 years of PNG's independence, Enga Baptist Health Services is the first organisation to deliver health services to their area. This was both a proud and painful reality proud because help had finally come but painful because it had taken so long," said Maureen.
Over two days, the team screened 83 patients, administered 381 immunisations, conducted antenatal care for 22 mothers and provided family planning services to 33 women, treating malaria, yaws, and respiratory infections in a place where preventable deaths were commonplace.
The team split into two groups. Group 2 set off by dinghy on a five-hour river journey to Imboin. Group 1, led by Maureen, was to follow the next morning with vaccines and supplies. But a miscommunication with local guides took Group 1 in the wrong direction entirely to Kamboa, a village along the Karawari River. In Imboin, Group 2 pressed on alone, seeing 141 patients despite having no vaccines. Mothers who had carried their children's immunisation record books had to be turned away.
"The many children awaiting immunisation and the overwhelming number of sick patients reminded me of how great the need truly is. It strengthened my resolve that next time, we must be better prepared and ready to meet those needs with the fullness of care they deserve, “added Maureen.
Meanwhile, Maureen's group made the most of their unplanned stop. Midway to Kamboa, two canoes approached carrying sick patients from the village of Moinini, the team treated them on the riverside. In Kamboa itself, Maureen cut the welcome ceremony short and went straight to work, seeing 65 patients, administering 205 immunisations and providing antenatal and family planning services to 16 women. Both Munduku and Kamboa made a Senism Pasin Pledge, community commitments to work with EBHS to establish permanent health services.
Across the three sites, the patrol saw 289 patients, administered nearly 690 childhood immunisations, and reached dozens of mothers, many receiving care for the first time. None of it would have been possible without MAF. For communities like Munduku, a 30-minute flight replaces a journey of days, and for a team carrying medicines and vaccines, that is the difference between a community receiving care and receiving nothing.
"To all the MAF team who arrange our travels, the pilots who take us in beautiful or stormy weather, and the agents who care for our cargo,thank you. Though our stay was short, the impact of the visit will last longer," said Maureen.