When Bad Weather Meets Demands

I was out in Telefomin again for a week doing some training with a pilot when a request came in pick up a young man in a remote village who has broken his leg and needed some professional attention. As Telefomin has a Hospital (even though without a doctor) this was the obvious place to take him to.

We already had a busy schedule on that day and as it was "only" a broken leg we suggested to do the flight on the following day. However, the weather turned bad on us about mid-day and we reckoned that instead of throwing in the towel or hang around for an indefinite time we might as well go to Miyanmin and pick up that patient and see if the weather changed in the meantime. 

The village was happy to see us coming already and the patient was, too. And by the time we made it back to Telefomin the clouds and rain to the south had cleared as well and we were able to continue with what has been planned initially.

Strapping in the patient before loading the other passengers

A Six-Seat Cessna 206

This story is from the Carin LeRoy, who I flew a few times during our time in Rumginae. The most vivid memory is the loss of one main wheel while landing at their airstrip in Yehebi, when we stayed overnight in their house until we were "rescued" the next morning. 

Read the story of LeRoys service to the Western Province here:

A Six-Seat Cessna 206

Kompiam Health Patrols

Since a few years, MAF supports Kompiam Hospital with flights for their regular health patrols. Whereas before, these had to be done on foot, with up to 2 days of walking, the same areas can now be reached with 20-min flights. In addition, the area of operation could be increase, serving villages that could not be reached before. See below a short (or longer) video of one of these Clinic Patrols.

Short Version Video

Full Version Video

P2-AHP, Arrival of a New Plane

MAF Papua New Guinea got a new airplane. This is the 10th aircraft added to our fleet of Cessna Caravans, C208. The registration AHP is witness to its origin and purpose: to fly medical patrols in the Western Province (Aerial Health Patrol).

Roughly double the size of Switzerland the Western Province only has 5 hospitals, 2 of which have a doctor on a permanent basis. That is why the vast majority of people living in the Western Province do not have any access to health services. Several years ago, MAF started an initiative to fly a team of medical personell to a remote village where they attend to the sick and provide health education. Looking for a sponsor MAF partnered with Sustainable Development Programme (SDP). In the meantime this organisation has taken over the whole project and with AHP has already donated the second aircraft for MAF PNG.

Dedication of P2-AHP from MAF PNG on Vimeo.

Arrival of P2-AHP in Mt Hagen

AHP Team in Habi, Western Province

Dr John doing a check-up on an infant