Indonesian doctors deliver babies despite earthquake tremors

Health workers battled powerful tremors, damaged equipment and a power outage to deliver two babies at Aeramo Regional Hospital in Nagekeo, East Nusa Tenggara, after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the region on August 15.

Healthcare workers later cared for the newborns in an emergency medical tent outside the damaged hospital. One of the babies was premature, while the other was placed inside an incubator.

One baby was delivered naturally, while the other was born two months premature by emergency Caesarean section.

Doctors performed the Caesarean on 39-year-old Maria Florida Nogo Kelen as aftershocks shook the area. With the hospital damaged, equipment out of action and electricity cut, the medical team worked with limited lighting.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Evo Morales questions arrest of Bolivian presidential adviser Cerimedo

"There was a moment when the situation became critical and the room had already collapsed," Maria Florida said. "Everyone was thinking about saving themselves, but the midwives and doctors stayed with us because we still needed their help."

Obstetrician Dr Yona Sara Pardede said the baby's breech position made the delivery more difficult as tremors continued during the operation.

"In the middle of the surgery, the earthquake struck, and there were still many tremors," Pardede said. "We had to deliver the baby quickly because we were afraid the baby's legs or arms could be injured. We were also afraid of causing a neck injury when delivering the baby's head."

Pardede said she prayed as the team worked to complete the delivery.

"God, please help me. God, please help me," she recalled praying. "Eventually, I believed that God's help is perfect and extraordinary. God gave us calmness at that moment. And when we delivered the baby, there was no earthquake. I believe god was protecting us."

Dr Pramita Sari said both babies were delivered under emergency conditions after the hospital building became unsafe and equipment was damaged.

"During the earthquake, we had two deliveries. One was a normal spontaneous vaginal delivery, while the other was delivered by caesarean section," she said. "All the equipment was damaged, the building was no longer suitable for use, and the electricity went out, so the deliveries had to be carried out in an emergency tent."

Both babies were delivered successfully. The premature infant weighed around 1.3 kilograms and was named Gempita, a reference to "gempa", the Indonesian word for earthquake.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Ghana wins ECOWAS backing on fight against xenophobia. Is African Union next?

"When the earthquake struck, we had to leave the building in a very critical and emergency situation. Thank god, the midwives, nurses, and doctors did not simply leave me. They helped me tremendously," said Desi Nesance, the other infant's mother.

The magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Flores in East Nusa Tenggara early on Saturday. Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said the shallow quake was caused by movement along the Flores Back-Arc Thrust.

Tsunami waves were recorded at several coastal locations after the quake.

Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said 68 people had been confirmed dead by Monday, with 213 injured across the affected region.