Surgery and many helpers save hole-in-the-heart baby

Eighteen-month-old Maximus from Timor-Leste was initially referred to ROMAC in September 2025 for a suspected congenital heart defect. ROMAC Medical Director Dr Nigel Stewart thought the charity could help the infant boy and referred him to Dr Hilary Hardefeldt at Royal Darwin Hospital for examination. Scans and tests revealed he had a ventricular septal defect, a large heart chamber opening which can cause respiratory distress, feeding difficulties, developmental issues and heart murmur. Without surgery Maximus’ prognosis was grim. 

But he can now look forward to a normal life, thanks to ROMAC volunteers who organised his surgery and pastoral care, donors who gave the money needed, the skill of health professionals and excellent medical and support facilities.

Maximus was referred for major heart surgery by Dr Nelson Alphonso of the Cardiac unit of Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane. Maximus and his mother Lilina, arrived in Brisbane on 5 January 2026 after leaving his twin brother Maximillian in family care in Dili.  After an initial night home-hosted by Northern Region Chair Wayne Litherland, the pair moved to Ronald MacDonald House across the road from the hospital. Pre-admission procedures were completed and after being deferred several times, surgery to repair Maximus’ heart defect took place on 14 January. The operation went well and the little boy was released from hospital six days later. After a couple of outpatient visits, he was cleared on 29 January to return home to play with his twin brother on 31 January.

Prior to departure, Lilina delivered heartfelt thanks individually to anyone associated with Maximus’ treatment. There were many people who helped ensure his treatment went smoothly:

• Rotarians in Timor, Darwin and Brisbane who helped with transport
• Hospital-employed translators who also became volunteers providing assistance with food purchases and additional clothing. Lilina spoke no English, only Tetum, a Timor-Leste language (the Google Translate app helped out too)
• Pastoral and welfare officers who organised visits from local priests and nuns who spoke Tetum
• Staff of Ronald MacDonald House who assisted Lilina with her accommodation and cooking needs.
• Brisbane-based Rotarians who helped out with hospital visits, food purchases and culturally-significant home-cooked meals
• Seasonal Timor-Leste workers on temporary work schemes who randomly helped out
• All hospital staff who were compassionate, including a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit staff member who presented a comfort blanket for Maximus and a similar one to take home to twin brother Maximillian.

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