ISF FLIES TO RESCUE PREGNANT WOMAN JUST IN TIME

Tempo samanal-Dili, 04/09/2011

According to a press released put out by the ISF said, "An Australian Army Black Hawk helicopter has been used to fly two seriously-ill East Timorese nationals from an island off the coast of Dili for urgent medical attention."

ISF Black Hawk and the crew in rescue action (Photo/ISF)

ISF has been in East Timor in response 2006 crisis and starting down size since the situation starting get better.

"The Black Hawk, operated by the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in East Timor, conducted the aero medical evacuation (AME) last night."

"The ISF had responded to a request from the United Nations to use its night flying capability to pick up the two patients from Atauro Island."

"A 26-year-old woman was suffering an obstructed labour, requiring a caesarean section, and an 18-year-old man was diagnosed with advanced appendicitis."

"The crew of the Black Hawk, with an ISF medical team onboard, successfully transferred the patients to the mainland where they were taken by ambulance to the Dili National Hospital."

Commander of the ISF, Colonel Luke Foster, said the ISF was ready and able to respond to urgent calls for assistance.

“I am very pleased the transfer operation went well,” Colonel Foster said. “Our Black Hawk pilots and crews are highly-professional and experienced in night flying and I commend their actions.”

The Dili National Hospital has advised the 26-year-old woman has given birth to a boy and both mother and baby are recovering. There is no further information as yet on the condition of the 18-year-old man.