Seeking A Hospital for the Treatment of an Unborn Dead Fetus

Name: Seeking A Hospital for the Treatment of an Unborn Dead Fetus
Uploaded: 2022-08-24T02:30:32Z
Duration: 20 min 32 s
Description: The fetus in Martha's womb was thought to have died before Saturday (6/8/2022). With the body of the fetus in the womb for more than a week, she boarded a ship looking for a hospital that could help her.

The fetus in Martha's womb was thought to have died before Saturday (6/8/2022). With the body of the fetus in the womb for more than a week, she boarded a ship looking for a hospital that could help her.

FRANSISKUS PATI HERIN

· 6 minutes read

With anxious face, Martha Manuputty (25) came to check her pregnancy health condition at the Community Health Center (Puskesmas) Ustutun, in Lirang Island, Southwest Maluku regency, Maluku, on Saturday (6/8). She was worried about the safety of the fetus in her 32-week-old pregnancy. For the past two days, there had been no movement.

The midwife who checked her pregnancy confirmed the foreboding feeling haunting Martha. Fetal heartbeat was no longer detected; the fetus was presumed to have died. She almost fainted. Puskemas Ustutun issued a referral letter asking that Martha be immediately taken to the Moa Regional General Hospital, in the capital of Southwest Maluku regency.

That Saturday morning there were no ships sailing to Moa. Martha was then taken home while waiting for the pioneer ship KM Sabuk Nusantara 67 which would arrive from Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Sunday (7/8) the next day. Following the route, the ship would sail east and stop at Moa. Martha and her family were getting restless.

The ship docked on Sunday morning. Martha was released from the hospital and she got aboard the ship. The ship then sailed to four islands until it arrived at Moa two days later, on Tuesday morning (9/8). Martha was then taken to Moa Hospital. Unfortunately, there was no doctor who could handle her case.

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Medical equipment was also limited. Martha was then referred again to Ambon, the capital of Maluku Province, or to Kupang, NTT.

That Tuesday morning, news came that the pioneer-ship KM Sabuk Nusantara 87, which was sailing west, would pass Moa to Kupang. The family and the accompanying midwife again evacuated Martha to the ship. Martha was getting fatigued. She was kept in the healthcare room on the ship.

The ship sailed west through several islands and then stopped at Ilwaki Harbor on Wednesday night (10/8). In Ilwaki, Martha received treatment. She was accompanied by two midwives, Shela and Adel, and Gita Mabaha from the family. Adel and Shela are young midwives who are dedicated to Lirang Island.

"It's been almost a week and we’re still looking for a hospital," said Gita with a sad expression on her face.

The ship continued to sail west and stopped at Lirang Island, Martha's village, on Thursday (11/8) the next day. Several family members, including her eldest child, came to see Martha on the boat. They cried and prayed that Martha would remain healthy until she arrived in Kupang. In a weak state, Martha hugged her child.

The family quickly disembarked because the ship was sailing again. On the way down the steps of the ship to the pier, they continued to pray for Martha. They did not want anything terrible to happen, like other patients have experienced in the past. Many patients were seriously ill with emergency conditions, and pregnant women have died aboard the ship during the voyage to Kupang.

On Friday (12/8), the ship docked at Tenau Harbor, in Kupang. Martha was then taken to a private hospital for treatment. After a medical check, the next day, Martha underwent surgery. "The doctor recommended a curettage. It has been done. Her condition has improved,” said Adel, one of the midwives from the Puskesmas Ustutun who accompanied Martha.

It's a miracle. We can't understand this.

Adel estimated that the fetus has been dead for more than 10 days in Martha's womb. According to Adel, Martha's physique is quite strong. They were worried that Martha would drop on the way. It was possible that Martha would not survive.

"It's a miracle. We can't understand this," said Shela.

After undergoing treatment at the hospital, Martha returned to her relative's house in Kupang City while waiting for the ship's schedule. They planned to return to Lirang with KM Sabuk Nusantara 67 on Friday (19/8), but the ship was docked. They waited for KM Sabuk Nusantara 71 on Friday.

Not only Martha. There was also Nisa (27), a pregnant woman who boarded the Ilwaki Port, Wetar Island. Nisa, who was almost nine months pregnant, was also referred to Kupang before giving birth. The Ilwaki Health Center did not want to take the risk, considering Nisa's health condition is worrisome. Nisa has high blood pressure.

“The midwives were afraid that something might happen, so they referred her to Kupang. In Kupang, the facilities are complete. This is the best for me and my baby. There have been many bad things that have happened here, so I'm afraid," said Nisa. During the voyage, she was accompanied by her family.

Kostansium Aswali, Head of West Wetar district, Southwest Maluku, said that such situations are not new for residents in the area. In addition to Kupang and Ambon, residents of Lirang Island usually seek help in Dili, the capital city of Timor Leste. They take a fishing boat to Atauro Island, Timor Leste, and from there they are picked up by a plane from Dili. The process takes less than a day.

The patient from Lirang only had a certificate from the village explaining that the patient was a resident of Lirang. Timor-Leste does not charge fees. The reason is that the people of Lirang have a cultural intersection with the people of Atauro.

“The ancestors of the Lirang people came from Atauro. This is coupled with the marriage relationship which is maintained to this day,” said Kostansium.

However, after the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, the government of Timor Leste closed the door to the entry of patients from abroad who were feared to carry the virus. Residents of Lirang were forced to seek help within the country by having to ride a ship for days. There is no guarantee that all hospitals can help.

Limited health facilities

The struggle of people at the border to enjoy healthcare is not a new story. The fact that people from Lirang Island went to Timor Leste for treatment was also known by the central government. Health Minister Nila Moeloek (2014-2019) once promised to pay attention to health services in the area. She said this during a visit to Ambon in 2019.

Previously, Lirang Island was also visited by Rini Soemarno in 2017 while serving as State-Owned Enterprises Minister. Rini's presence was followed by the construction of telephone and internet network transmitters as well as electricity services in Lirang. Now, people enjoy it. However, the people's expectations for health services have not been fulfilled.

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"At that time, we also left a message so that the health facilities here could be observed. However, unfortunately, nothing has changed. Health workers are also minimal. They got a SK [decree] to serve here, but they never showed up. Now who do you want to hope for?" said Lazarus Mabala, a resident of Lirang Island.

Martha, with a fetus that died in the womb and had to struggle to find a hospital, was a hard slap for the country. It is still difficult for the state to fulfil basic services, which are the rights of every citizen. For their own safety, they fight alone. Take a boat from island to island for days.

This article was translated by Kurniawan Siswo.

Editor:

SYAHNAN RANGKUTI

health facilities healthcare hospital southwest maluku regency pregnancy health condition lirang island limited health facilities