ERNAWATI'S JOURNEY OF HOPE

Their bundle of joy arrived on 15 Dec 04 - a bouncing baby boy. But for Ernawati and her husband, Sham Suhardi, who reside in Meulaboh, joy soon turned into distress when they realised that her abdomen was still swollen weeks after birth.

Ernawati was admitted to the hospital on 10 Jan. Besides the Indonesian doctors, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Humanitarian Assistance Task Force (HATF) surgical team also attended to her.

"She had this huge mass left over after birth and we did an ultrasound on her, using the portable machine we brought in."

"We suspect it is a tumour of sorts, but after the tsunami, the hospital no longer has any other diagnostic imaging capabilities," said Major (MAJ) (Dr) Colin Teo, the second-in-charge of the SAF HATF medical team.

"She is not in any pain, but the mass is very obvious. It is easily about 20cm by 15cm, so it is best she goes for further checks."

The doctors discussed the case and felt the best option was to evacuate her to Medan, where there is equipment for a more thorough analysis.

The SAF team then linked up with the Civil Military Relations (CMR) personnel in HATF to arrange for a flight out as soon as possible.

The role of CMR personnel is to help facilitate the coordinating of relief efforts between the Indonesian authorities and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs). To date, 29 NGOs have already touched base with them.

For 18-year-old Ernawati, she is grateful for all the help rendered.

"I am very happy that Singapore doctors can help bring me to Medan," said Ernawati, who left on a Chinook with Sham, at 2.30pm on 11 Jan.

Hopefully, she will soon be reunited with her baby boy, who is awaiting her return in Meulaboh with his maternal grandmother.

Ernawati's journey: