A PREGNANT woman, preparing to board a chartered flight to a remote village in Central Province, went into sudden labour, requiring urgent medical attention. The situation quickly escalated, leaving the woman distressed and in need of immediate care.
Fortunately, Reserve Constable Clement Yobunas, also a trained first aider, stepped forward to provide critical assistance.
The incident was promptly reported to the 7-Mile Police Station, and the Station Commander, accompanied by Reserve Constable Yobunas, responded to the call.
Recalling the events, Reserve Constable Yobunas shared, “When I arrived, I immediately applied the St John Action Plan, which some may know as‘DRSABCD’, and knew exactly what to do. I introduced myself to those present as a police officer and a first aider, reassuring them and the woman that I was there to help until the ambulance arrived.”
Reserve Constable Yobunas observed that the woman, though conscious, was in significant pain, unable to stand, and struggling to breathe. The police headquarters at Konedobu was notified, which in turn contacted the National St John Ambulance operations centre.
“I assured her that everything would be alright,” Reserve Constable Yobunas explained. “With the help of her relatives
and others nearby, we positioned her comfortably and continued to provide reassurance. Her breathing stabilised, and although she remained in pain, she was calmer.”
Reserve Constable Yobunas emphasised the value of his recent first aid training, saying, “This was my first opportunity to put into practice what I learned during the free community first aid training I attended in December. The training helped me stay calm and respond effectively. It was incredibly rewarding to see her condition stabilise while waiting for professional medical assistance.”
When the ambulance arrived, Reserve Constable Yobunas briefed the team on the first aid measures he had provided. The woman was further stabilised and transported to the Port Moresby General Hospital.
Commissioner David Manning, Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) said, “We commend Reserve Constable Yobunas for his quick thinking and decisive action in assisting a pregnant woman in distress.
“His actions highlight the essence of our duty as police officers—to protect. His ability to step up in a critical moment reflects the values of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and the importance of being prepared to safeguard lives in every situation,” said Commissioner Manning.
Commissioner Manning encouraged all police officers to
undertake first aid training, thanking the National St John Ambulance Council for offering this essential training at no cost to officers or the Constabulary.
Reserve Constable Yobunas was among 109 participants who completed the free community first aid training for taxi and bus drivers in the National Capital District in December. This year, NStJA is gearing up to deliver more first aid training for police and the community, and one of those initiatives is to train around 400 police officers across the Highlands regionin basic first aid for emergencies.
The National St John Ambulance Council, under its legislation, has a mandate for helping communities prepare for emergencies. One of the important ways this is achieved is by training and supporting people to become confident first aiders, ready to step inand help others in times of need.
NStJA Community Health Education Manager, Ms Zoe Saulep praised Reserve Constable Yobunas’ efforts,“this is one of the first positive stories we’ve received from participants of the recent training. It shows how first aid skills can make a real difference. All members of the public can learn some form of first aid, and we encourage trained first aiders to step up confidently when needed because you could save a life,” she said.
