Bairo Pite - East Timor a Story of Hope
Manuella Soares had never seen an escalator before arriving at Sydneyairport. It was a long way from home for Manuella who lives in a refugee camp. Her country, East Timorhad been torn apart by violence and political unrest and for those who live in the refugee camps basic health care is a luxury. However, during the year an initiative of St Vincent’s Clinic saved the
life of one young woman and her unborn baby.
Manuella came to Australiawith the assistance of St Vincent’s Clinic because she has mitral stenosis, a condition where her health is affected by a faulty heart valve. For Manuella, the mitral stenosis was causing discomfort in her chest, difficulties breathing and fatigue.
The situation with Manuella was even more urgent because Manuella was 4 months pregnant.
“I keep thinking about this a lot, thinking if this (condition) will affect my baby.”
Although Manuella is receiving care at the Bairo Pite Clinic, doctors can’t help Manuella in East Timor, they simply don’t have the resources.
So Manuella made a mercy dash to St Vincent’s PrivateHospitalin Sydneywhere she underwent a mitral valvuloplasty to open her valve.
“At first I thought they would cut me open, now I know it will just open my heart. I hope God will help me” said Manuella at the time of her consultation.
Essentially saving 2 lives cardiologist Dr Paul Roy used a balloon procedure to open Manuella’s valve open. It is a procedure that usually takes only 45 minutes.
It took Dr Roy two attempts in just under an hour to get Manuella’s tiny valve opened. When they had finished they were able to tell Manuella that everything had gone perfectly. For the first time in years the 22 year olds heart was beating normally again. During the procedure the baby was covered in lead for protection and to ensure the baby was unharmed throughout the procedure.
A relieved and grateful Manuella was also able to see her baby via an ultra sound – a baby who up until now she never thought she would get the chance to meet.
Manuella returned to east Timorand gave birth to a healthy baby boy in February 2009.
This is truly a story of hope and survival that epitomises the cooperation between our hospitals, doctors, administrative staff and partners.
