New Zealand Defence Force saves newborn baby in Timor-Leste

A Royal New Zealand Air Force Iroquois helicopter crew serving with the New Zealand Defence Force in Timor-Leste performed a life saving evacuation on Tuesday night when they saved a baby suffering from respiratory difficulties.

The baby girl was born five-weeks premature and is unlikely to have survived if it wasn’t for the quick action of the Iroquois crew, who flew 20 nautical miles off the coast of Dili to the mother’s home on Atauro Island.

RNZAF Iroquois detachment commander Squadron Leader Daniel O’Reilly said an emergency medical team administered constant CPR to the infant during the flight back to medical facilities near Dili.

“If we had have been 30 minutes later it is highly likely she would have died. She is now stable with a very good prognosis.”

There are two RNZAF Iroquois helicopters and more than 170 NZDF personnel serving in Timor Leste assisting Australian and Timorese defence personnel to maintain security. New Zealand also contributes two Military Liaison Officers who serve with the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor Leste (UNMIT).

ENDS