Inside view: What I learned from MAF medevac in my country

Story by Aquila Matit

Just weeks after joining MAF as a Communications Officer, a medevac mission by MAF brought a glimmer of hope to the remote village of Sengapi but also made me feel very sad about the plight of my countrymen. 

I embarked on my first flight with mixed feelings of excitement and anticipation. Our mission was urgent: to transport two patients in need of immediate medical attention to Mount Hagen. Time was of the essence, and we had to act swiftly.

Sengapi, nestled in the rugged terrain of the Jimi District in Jiwaka Province, is one of those places where access to basic services is a daily struggle. The sight of villagers, many of them being my age of 26 living with limited clothing and education, was a sharp reminder of the challenges faced by many remote communities across Papua New Guinea.

As we landed, I could see people’s faces etched with hope and anxiety. The MAF agent quickly came up to us with a smile of gratitude and the pilot, Captain Mathias Glass, greeted him with a handshake.

Next came the medical officer in charge (OIC) of the Sengapi Health Centre, Isaac Kaupa, followed by two patients, one a man in his mid-50s who experienced heart failure and was carried on a stretcher by two men while the other patient, a pregnant mother facing difficulties in delivering, could still walk on her own.

Mathias quickly assessed the situation to determine the cabin configuration for the return flight as they stopped in front of us. Then, the MAF agent and some local men helped him offload supplies that we brought to clear the cabin for the medevac needs. 

Speaking to the people, I gained great insights into how life with limited health care and the lack of basic services in such an isolated place is like. I realised a huge gap between their rural setting and my life in an urban area of the city of Mount Hagen. My heart sank, I realised that my nation had a long way to go in terms of service delivery. There was nothing I could do but reflect and appreciate where I came from as a grown up urban young man.

Both patients were carefully loaded onto the aircraft with their guardians. The gratitude in their eyes was visible, a silent testament to the lifesaving impact of MAF’s work. 

As we took off leaving the village behind us, I went through a mix of emotions. My heart ached for those left behind, struggling with the lack of necessities. Yet, there was also a sense of fulfilment, knowing that our mission had made a difference in the lives of those two patients and their loved ones.

The experience has deepened my commitment to MAF’s mission of reaching the unreachable by overcoming geographical obstacles, bringing hope and healing to the most isolated corners of PNG. It was a reminder of the power of compassion and the importance of our work in bridging the gap between remote communities and essential services available in towns.

As I continue my journey with MAF, I am inspired by the resilience of the people of Sengapi and the dedication of my colleagues. Together, I believe we will continue to soar above the challenges, bringing hope to those who need it most.