Medical team saves mother

Group Captain Christopher Verco flanked by other members of the Health Supplementation Team and two East Timorese doctors. Photo by Private Duncan Carter

By CAPT Nic Smith
THE Health Supplementation Team (HST) that provides medical support to the Australian Battalion Group (AUSBATT) in East Timor had to perform emergency surgery to assist an East Timorese woman experiencing complications during childbirth.

Without the intervention of HST, it is believed the mother would have lost her life.

The woman had been referred to the HST facility at AUSBATT by the Maliana District Hospital, which was unable to treat her, on May 30.

The attending doctor, Group Captain Christopher Verco, identified, sadly, that the baby had died because of the complications. He performed a laparotomy to deliver the stillborn child and carried out surgery on the woman, who had suffered injuries during the childbirth.

Dr Verco had only arrived at Moleana from Australia several hours before the operation. He is on his third deployment to East Timor.

A member of the Air Force Specialist Reserve, he is an obstetrician and gynaecologist at the Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide.

At the request of the family, Battalion Chaplain Reverend Colin Barwise baptised the child.

The patient remained overnight in the intensive care unit at AUSBATT for observation before being transferred to Maliana District Hospital.

“The team handled the emergency splendidly. The operation was a highly challenging task and we are very pleased with the mother’s progress,” Dr Verco said.

HST predominantly comprises members from the Richmond-based No. 3 Combat Support Hospital.

CO Squadron Leader Bryan Dubbeldam described HST as “a well-trained, well-drilled surgical team”. As a part of the AUSBATT Group Medical Facility, it is fully capable of performing most emergency operations.

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