Stranded in a hospital bed, a mum was grateful to receive a carepack as part of MAF’s Closing the Loop project.
When Julieta Alves Mouzinho was flown by MAF for urgent treatment in Timor-Leste’s capital, there was no time to grab enough supplies for a hospital stay.
The mum experienced bleeding when giving birth to her baby boy so the call went out for MAF to medevac her to the National Hospital Guido Valadares in Dili.
Julieta was a long way from home and isolated from the friends and family who could support her. But the gift of a carepack of essential items from MAF’s Closing the Loop team made a big difference.
Saturlino Tilman was at his wife’s bedside after she gave birth to their son Rivanio. They had been flown to hospital from Same, which is a town in the nation’s interior, south of the capital Dili.
“I am very grateful that MAF did not only fly us from our hometown to Dili, but they also provided us with a present that really helped and meant a lot for us,” Saturlino said.
... they also provided us with a present that really helped and meant a lot for us
Estela Noronha, the assistant of MAF’s Closing the Loop project in Timor-Leste, said the team provides packs when MAF flies patients to Dili and gives further supplies during follow-up visits in hospital.
“When people come from medevac in an emergency from the districts, sometimes they forget to bring the necessary things. That’s why the care package needs to be given so that it can help them when they arrive at the hospital,” she said.
“It’s very helpful for them because when they arrive at the hospital, they don’t need to go out to buy food because they can grab some snacks, juice, drinking water, and any sanitary supplies that they can use.
“When we did the hospital visit to follow up on patients’ conditions, we also brought extra food to give them, and we received positive feedback from the patients, and they were very satisfied with this carepack.”
Another patient Adelia Gomes, was flown by MAF from Atauro Island to hospital after a distressing molar pregnancy.
During a tough time for the family, Adelia said the supplies had made the difficult stay in hospital more comfortable.
“I am very happy that when we arrived at MAF’s base in Dili, they gave us a present of a small bag that contained basic needs that really helped us during our stay at the hospital,” she said.
“It was a very difficult moment for us because we did not bring enough supplies and did not have enough money to buy extra material that we need, but MAF’s gift has eased our difficulties.”
... MAF’s gift has eased our difficulties
Estela said the generous giving of MAF supporters made it possible to support patients isolated in hospital at their time of great need.
“Thank you so much for your generous support to help those people who are needed because they are coming from rural areas, and your support meant a lot for them. Please keep continuing this support,” she added.