GLOBALink | PNG mother thanks Chinese doctor for saving newborn boy

"As a mother, I was overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty, but your calm and professionalism gave me hope and comfort," Josephine Inapi, a Papua New Guinea (PNG) mother of a newborn said in a hand-written letter to a doctor of the Chinese medial team stationed in the country.

"I also want to thank the entire China medical team for coming to PNG and providing such crucial assistance. Your kindness and selflessness have not gone unnoticed." She wrote with gratitude.

In April, Inapi, a 38-week pregnant woman, delivered a baby boy via c-section due to fetal distress. After birth, the baby suffered from severe asphyxia, meconium aspiration syndrome, sepsis, and persistent pulmonary hypertension.

Despite treatment with oxygen, antibiotics, and pulmonary artery pressure-lowering medications, his oxygen saturation continued to drop, which posed a grave risk of multi-organ damage and cardiac and respiratory arrest.

Liu Zhenqiu, a newborn specialist and member of the 12th China medical team stationed in PNG, decided to initiate mechanical ventilation to save his life.

Led by Liu, a specialized group was quickly assembled with Chinese and PNG experts. They smoothly implemented a series of treatment measures, including intubation, oxygenation, positive pressure ventilation, ventilation mode selection, and sedation.

With the respiratory support from the ventilator, the baby's skin color quickly changed from cyanosis to pink, and his oxygen saturation rose from 60 percent to 90 percent. Other vital signs also returned to normal ranges.

After days of invasive ventilation, the baby was eventually weaned off the ventilator and started breathing on his own. He was discharged from hospital 25 days after birth.

In her letter of gratitude, the PNG mother also asked Liu to give her baby a Chinese name.

Liu named him "Tai Le," which bears the meaning of "safety" and "happiness" in the Chinese language.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service