Following a recent polio outbreak, MAF has been helping deliver life-saving vaccines to some of the country’s most vulnerable communities. We talked to Kibsy Daniel, who’s been heavily involved in the programme.
Story by Kathy Burrows
Much of the world is no longer concerned about polio: a deadly disease that affects mainly children. Though many people in today’s generation barely know what it is, this highly contagious infection can cause long-term disability, paralysis and even death.
While it was eradicated in Europe in 2003 – and stamped out in Australia in the year 2000 – it’s still out there in other parts of the world, including Papua New Guinea.
With low vaccination coverage, the risk of transmission for many Papua New Guinean children remains high.
In the nation’s vast Western Province, health worker Kibsy Daniel has been responding to the government’s urgent call to roll out a supplementary vaccination programme. However, navigating the area’s challenging terrain has required the support of MAF aircraft to reach remote communities.
“MAF really helped us with moving the vaccines,” said Kibsy, who works for Western Provincial Health Authority (WPHA) as the Officer in Charge of Lake Murray’s health centre at Boboa. “They helped us get everything into those hard-to-reach places.”
For the WPHA, travelling by boat amongst the lakes and vast wetlands of the province’s south, or travelling by foot across the roadless mountainous north is difficult – and can be dangerous. Transporting vaccines also requires strict handling and storage. With logistical support from the Sustainable Development Program (SDP), MAF aircraft ensured the vaccines reached the isolated communities quickly and safely.
Kibsy has a far-reaching vision for this challenging work.
“If I don’t vaccinate them, then my future leaders will be unhealthy,” he said. “To get out to the remote places is difficult, but with MAF involved, and SDP, we managed.”
From their operational bases in Kiunga and Balimo, MAF aeroplanes are relied upon to ensure vital healthcare services are available to those who need it most across the province – something Kibsy knows all too well.
Recently, he required urgent medical care himself and was airlifted by MAF from Lake Murray to hospital in Kiunga, the nearest town.
“I was flown out on a medevac on a Sunday,” he said.
Without MAF, I should not be here.
His family has also benefited from the service.
“My daughter was also flown on a medevac from Lake Murray with a broken bone,” he said.
“I really appreciate what MAF is doing. Even when we call for a medevac, they’re always available.”
According to Kibsy, the polio vaccination programme has been a real success. Thanks to the prompt action of the organisations working together, teams were able to reach communities that might otherwise have been left unprotected.
“I'm really happy with the partnership that we have with MAF, SDP and the WPHA because without the three of us working together, things would not work properly.”