KOTA KINABALU: A mother who was stranded on her way to the hospital to give birth in the interior Tambunan district has safely delivered her baby via caesarean section.
Sabah Health Department director Dr Maria Suleiman shared this news after it circulated widely on social media since Wednesday (Feb 26).
The mother was on her way to the hospital when a landslide blocked the main road from her village in Kg Pahu.
Ambulances and other agencies could not reach her, but villagers, police, and health officials managed to get to her and transported her to the hospital using an alternative route.
"The woman had to undergo an emergency lower segment caesarean section as there were signs that the unborn child was becoming weaker in her womb," said Dr Maria.
"Both baby and mother are in fine condition after the surgery," she added.
Explaining the sequence of events, Dr Maria said the landslide occurred around 7.26am on Wednesday when the woman was in active labour.
Initially, medical officials from the nearby Tontolob Desa Clinic reached her on foot.
After assessing and stabilising her condition, they decided she needed immediate transfer to the hospital.
Due to the landslide, an ambulance from Tambunan Hospital could not pass, forcing them to find alternative routes.
Medical officials worked closely with the police to ensure the woman was successfully transported to Keningau Hospital.
There, she was immediately prepared for the emergency caesarean section.
On behalf of the department, Dr Maria thanked all agencies and the public involved in rescuing the pregnant woman, leading to a successful delivery.
She emphasised that the close relationship between agencies and the public is vital for any rescue and emergency response.
Dr Maria said this operation demonstrated the capability of various agencies in carrying out rescue operations in Sabah.
