Lost and found - 'ADMINISTRATION SAGA'

[BB-Leo]

http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20070820/mohome.htm


Lost and found


AUGUST 20, 2007

PNG

A PREGNANT woman in labour gave birth to a child at sea after a mercy dash to the nearest health centre went wrong.
The baby died soon after birth but the mother and four others survived a nine-day ordeal at sea.
The family, including two other children, were rescued by villagers on the south coast of West New Britain. Disaster officials in Kimbe were advised of the rescue last Thursday after the villagers of Amblingi island saved the family and reported the saga to the Gasmata district administration.
The baby has been buried in Amblingi village.
Acting provincial administrator and chairman of provincial disaster Gabriel Tenge directed officials who had contacted the National Disaster Office and the Milne Bay provincial disaster centre to arrange repatriation of the family back to their home.
The Milne Bay family was sent by boat to Gasmata district where they caught a plane to Hoskins.
The survivors were examined by doctors at the Kimbe General Hospital last Friday.
It was reported the family of five left Budibudi Island with a woman in labour to go to Guasopa health centre on August 5.
The 25-horsepower engine on their boat developed problems on the way and they drifted for the next nine days and nights.
Disaster officials in Kimbe said the strong southeast trade winds drove the party northwest towards the New Britain Island where they were fortunate to be spotted by the Amblingi villagers and rescued.
WNB provincial disaster had funded the transportation of the family to Kimbe town, while they waited for the National Disaster office to cater for their tickets to Port Moresby and then to Alotau.
It is understood the Milne Bay provincial disaster will meet the fares to fly them back to Alotau and back to their village.