In late April 2025, Ken, a gravely ill infant boy from Vanuatu, needed surgery to repair a cardiac defect within four to five weeks or he would die.
Volunteer New Zealand Operations Manager Sue Smith worked hard to get Ken and his mother Bernadette to Starship Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand as quickly as possible.
She arranged a Medevac flight from Luganville, Santo, to Port Vila and then urgent visa applications for them on a medically-assisted flight, accompanied by volunteer Vanuatu paramedic Michael Benjamin.
On arrival at Auckland Airport on 5 June Ken and Bernadette were transferred by ambulance to hospital. After a period of stabilisation and work-up, Ken finally underwent his surgery on 10 June.
It was a joy to the ROMAC team of volunteers to witness Ken’s health rebound more quickly than expected after surgery. A very grateful and relieved Bernadette flew home with her son on 15 July.
Tom is still receiving treatment for his club feet and is recovering well after surgery. While the journey is ongoing his strength and determination are evident every day.
Haggai came into ROMAC’s care after being born with a rare facial condition that significantly affected her appearance and required urgent specialist surgery in Australia.
A six-week-old baby born with blocked airways was flown from Fiji with her mother and two doctors to receive specialist care with support from ROMAC in Adelaide.
Any donation you can make will help make treatment like this possible.
