A Race Against Time: The Karati Snakebite Rescue
Thursday, March 13th, 2025, began like any other in the remote village of Karati, Papua New Guinea. But by midday, a life hung in the balance. A 30-year-old mother, breastfeeding her nine-month-old child, had been bitten by a venomous snake.
News of the emergency, relayed via a frantic WhatsApp message from Sr. Vaieke at Baimuru Health Center, reached Dr. Valarie in New Zealand at 9:15 AM NZ time. “Snake Bite Patient at Karati. They have no fuel for their boat to refer her.” The urgency was felt a world away.
The message sparked a flurry of activity. Dr. Paias was tasked with contacting Karati for details, but communication was difficult. Time was critical. The patient, having been paddled in a dug-out canoe for hours, was showing severe symptoms: nausea, vomiting, and slurred speech.
“Send the team out now?” Valarie asked, echoing the growing concern. “Kapuna please prepare. Just get ready.”
Adam, on the ground, confirmed Kapuna’s readiness. “Kapuna is ready, I think we should just get ready and go.”
The decision was made. A rescue team, comprised of Manu Laiko, Charlie Jack, RMO Tracy, Nathan Omae, and Manu as the driver and torch man, was assembled. They packed IV lines, antivenom, atropine, and Neostigmine, preparing for a long and uncertain night.
At 7:45 PM, the rescue team embarked on their journey.
“Rescue team left now. Can everyone pray for safe travel and life to be saved,” Adam messaged.
The journey didn’t come without its usual jungle challenges. A sudden engine failure threatened to derail the mission, but after a tense 30 minutes, the problem was resolved, and the team continued on, arriving at Karati around 11 PM.
The team quickly found that the patient was not doing well, with the signs and symptoms of venom present, the team quickly administered the Anti-venom and in 30 minutes she started to respond well and her life was saved from the deadly venomous snake bite. If it was not for good communication, we would have lost a life, but we all thank our Heavenly Father and teamwork that led to a successful mission in saving a life, and keeping a family together. The team overnighted in Karati to keep an eye on the woman and returned to Kapuna the next day after seeing she was back to good health. Thank you all for your prayer support and for standing together with us to make this life saving work possible.
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