Two sides of Timor Lorosae
Wednesday, 4 August 2010 Yesterday I attended the grand opening of the new Catholic church maternity center in Dili. Sparkling, modern, extensive, I could have been in Europe or America. All the dignitaries were there, champagne, and even VIP private rooms with AC and TV.
Meanwhile in a remote village of Hatolia, Marcelina, a lay midwife trained at BPC was handling a complicated birth featuring a cord prolapse with a breech presentation. All went well, mother and baby are thriving. No fanfare, no media, just doing your best to be of service to the community. All 27 pregnant women in the village are attended by dayan Marcelina and all have deliveries assisted by this unsung public servant.
Two divergent approaches to the health of the newest nation of Asia.
Dr Dan Murphy is the head physician at Bairo Pite Clinic