Maira, age 41, from Oumaumere village, had been having breathing problems since 1990. She came to the primary health care clinic with her husband, two children, daughter-in-law and grandchild, to see whether she could get help.
Breathing problems were extra inconvenient for Maira because she spent much of her time making Sago, a very active job, along with having to paddle in a canoe for 8 hours to the nearest city, Kikori, for supplies.
The doctor on board, Megan, ultimately diagnosed Maira with asthma but made her an asthma pump kit with a pump and a plastic cup so she could have continued treatment to assist with her breathing.
Maira commented that she was “feeling so happy” and that now “when I work, I can use this when I lose my breath and feel better again, to work more.”