Kesaia Vakaloloma, had to travel by boat to Taveuni hospital from Qamea island.She gave birth to baby Ponipate after facing complications and had to immediately be rushed to Labasa hospital by boat. Baby Ponipate was wrapped up in a container like case and held on tight by mum Kesaia.
“The seas were very rough and I was really worried. We came on a fibre boat with no shelter above us,” she further adds. There was a doctor and a nurse travelling with Kesaia & her baby who had to provide oxygen for her baby as his breathing was unstable. They reached Labasa a few hours later.
After two nights at the post-natal ward, Kesaia was told that she would move to the Ronald McDonald House while Ponipate continued to receive medical care.
“I thought the house was part of the hospital that all mothers move to if their baby was still in hospital. But when I came it was all different,” says Kesaia.
“I was really happy being accommodated at the Ronald McDonald House. It’s very relaxing and there’s no stress. We get to rest a lot and we get to focus on our baby’s well-being.It has been such a relief especially for us who come from afar.For the other mothers, we come in as mothers and for many of us, we go back as family, from the bond we share.”
Baby Ponipate continually improved and after 42 nights at the Labasa hospital, they returned home.