RAMSI rescues boy from death

PETER Maesinasi can now go back to continue his schooling in class 3 at Siohiramo Primary School in Small Malaita.

The 12 year old lad was struck by a metal spear during a diving night out with his four friends in the lagoon beside their village at Waiaha last month.

The spear went six inches into his stomach and 12 inches was sticking out.

It gone through his intestine in five places and just missed his major blood vessel (artery).

Peter may not survive that incident without the intervention of Aspen Medical Hospital at RAMSI Guadalcanal Beach Resort (GBR) Base and PDL, who sent a helicopter on 20 September to pick him up to Honiara National Referral Hospital.

The quick intervention allowed doctors at National Referal Hospital to remove the metal spear.

His father, David Kanai, told the Solomon Star yesterday the metal spear was part of the home made gun they were using for diving.

"One of his friends was diving with the gun and when he felt cold, he came out from the sea.

"His friend left the gun floating on the sea with the metal spear well placed on it with the two rubbers holding it tightly.

"When Peter jumped into the sea and still sorting out his diving glass, waves took the gun to the mangrove. The movement of the waves unlock the trigger of the gun and the metal spear flew straight to my son's stomach," he said.

Mr Kanai said they rushed him to Taraipaina Clinic with two hooks passed inside his belly.

"At the clinic, the nurse managed to remove one hook from him.

"We then took him to Afio Area Health Centre and nurses there rang the National Referral Hospital.

“The doctors then contacted RAMSI and a helicopter was sent to pick up us," he said.

Paul Reeves of Aspen Medical Hospital recalled the night they flew to get Peter was a stormy weather.

He said after getting permission from RAMSI and Australian Federal Police they flew for about an hour to reach Afio.

"When we arrived there we were met by staff of Afio Area Health Centre and Peter was lying on a stretcher.

"When we met Peter he still has metal spear sticking out of his stomach," he said.

He said they flew straight to GBR where the National Referral Hospital ambulance was waiting to pick him up.

"During our flight we stabilise him and nothing happens," he said.

Mr Kanai thanked Aspen and RAMSI for helping his son to have another chance to live.

He said people may have bad feelings toward RAMSI, but "I think they are doing a good job to help us during emergency situations."

"If RAMSI don't send us the helicopter, my son may not survive," he said.

Mr Kanai said he will leave with Peter this Friday on a ship in order for him to continue his education.

The Aspen Medical Hospital has been doing this kind of emergency job for the last five years.

Reeves said they normally attained to medical cases once a week in the outer islands to refer to National Referral Hospital.

He advised people who may need help to contact their nearest Area Health Centres in order for them to provide helicopter lift to Honiara for further treatment.
 

Source: Solomon Star