In Madagascar's remote corners, where resources are scarce, and distances are vast, a MAF flight meant the difference between life and death for Norfinne and her newborn.
Norfinne and her family had spent the past year in Ambatomainty, a remote village in western Madagascar, trying to make a living. But after much consideration, they decided to return to their home village of Mananjary, on the island’s eastern coast. Their journey home took an unexpected and life-altering turn.
As the truck they were travelling in rumbled down a dusty, uneven road, Norfinne suddenly clutched her stomach and winced. “We panicked as we realised my wife was going into labour and we were in the middle of nowhere,” said Velona, Norfinne’s husband. The concerned truck driver didn’t want to take the risk of taking her all the way, so he stopped at the closest town with a health centre and left the family there.
We were in the middle of nowhere
The concerned truck driver didn’t want to take the risk of taking her all the way, so he stopped at the closest town with a health centre and left the family there. “As he dropped us in Morafenobe, we rushed to the health centre and they tried to help my wife,” Velona added.
A nurse on duty examined Norfinne and learned that she already had two C-sections previously and one had not been successful. She quickly realised the gravity of the situation as the centre does not have a surgery team, nor the necessary equipment needed for this type of surgery.
“She cannot deliver naturally,” the nurse in Morafenobe firmly said to the family. “She’s had two previous caesarean sections, and one already cost the babies’ life. If we don’t act fast, both mother and baby are at risk.”
Recognising the urgency, she contacted MAF and a fast response was coordinated with partners Nehemia Madagasikara which would provide housing and food for the family, while Mobile Help Madagascar (MHM) would handle the life-saving surgery and the medical follow-ups.
Within hours, a MAF plane, carrying three medical professionals from MHM, landed in Morafenobe.
After assessing the condition, the family boarded for the flight to the capital Antananarivo.
The flight took a little over an hour, a significant contrast to the four-day journey by road they would have endured to come to the capital. Norfinne was carefully monitored by the MHM medical team throughout the flight.
“She was very stable during the whole flight,” said Aina Nomena Rakotondrazafy one of the nurses.
Upon landing, an MHM car rushed Norfinne to the hospital, where a surgical team awaited.
Outside the operating room, Norfinne’s husband sat on a chair, wringing his hands.
“Where is my wife, how is my wife and baby?” he asked Raherimalala Saholinandrianina Rarisoa, the director of Nehemia Madagasikara, who came to the hospital to see the family. “We don’t know anything yet, the doctors are working and will do their best,” Saholy told him.
After 45 agonising minutes, Solo the surgeon who performed the C-section emerged with a broad smile.
“Congratulations,” he announced. “You have a healthy baby girl!” Relief and joy swept over the father’s face. He shook the surgeon’s hand, and said “Thank you, thank you so much.”
Tanja Hock the Director of MHM added, “You have a big baby girl, 3.22 kilograms. Both your wife and child are doing well.”
In less than two weeks, Norfinne with her little girl Soavita couldd go out of the hospital and were picked up by Nehemia Madagasikara to be brought to the house where they would spend few more weeks to recover before going back to their home village in the east.
You have a big baby girl. Both your wife and child are doing well
Looking back at this experience Norfinne said: “Since I already lost my second baby, I was so scared and did not know what to do. The doctor explained that I cannot have any baby anymore, but I am very happy to have a girl as my first one is a boy.”
The baby and the mother are both healthy and in good hands as they would not need to worry about food or housing because Nehemia Madagasikara is taking care of all those.
MAF’s coordination, and the expertise of MHM and Nehemia Madagasikara, tragedy was averted, transforming their journey into one of hope.