A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on 15 August 2026, forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate after damaging homes and public facilities.
Among those affected was Maria Florida Nogo Kelen, a resident of Nagekeo Regency who was forced to undergo an emergency Caesarean section while the earthquake and aftershocks continued.
Maria was expecting her fourth child but had to give birth around two months before her due date because of pregnancy complications that posed a serious risk to both her and her baby.
Despite the earthquake and the difficult conditions at the hospital, Maria said she remained focused on delivering her child.
“During the operation, I didn’t feel afraid. I had to stay strong for the sake of my children,” said Maria, as reported by The Straits Times.
Emergency Caesarean Section During Power Outage
Maria’s emergency delivery took place during a total power outage, leaving medical staff to rely on torchlight inside the hospital. The team also had to continue working while aftershocks posed a further risk to patients and medical personnel.
Dr Yona Sara Pardede, the obstetrician-gynaecologist treating Maria, said the procedure could not be delayed because Maria was at high risk of developing severe and potentially fatal seizures.
“We had no choice. As human beings, we were certainly afraid. The surgery was extremely difficult because the baby was so small,” said Yona.
“I prayed, ‘God, please help us.’ We didn’t even have ventilator facilities at the time,” she added.
The medical team eventually completed the operation and Maria gave birth to her fourth child, a baby weighing just 1.3 kilograms.
The baby was named Gempita Soli Wona, with the name inspired by gempa, the Indonesian word for earthquake. Gempita was later placed in an incubator inside an evacuation tent set up on the hospital grounds.
Both mother and baby continued to receive care in the evacuation area as authorities and medical teams worked to maintain essential services following the earthquake.
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Other Mothers Give Birth Amid Earthquake Evacuations
Maria was not the only mother forced to give birth under difficult conditions following the earthquake.
BBC Indonesia reported that two other women in Watubaing Village, Sikka Regency, gave birth outdoors as aftershocks continued to affect the area. One of the women was already in labour at a community health centre when a magnitude 5.6 aftershock struck.
Medical teams subsequently moved the mothers and their newborns outside for safety. Follow-up care was provided in makeshift conditions, with cloths and sarongs used to provide shelter.
In Ruteng, East Manggarai, doctors also performed an emergency Caesarean section after an earthquake damaged the Ruteng Regional General Hospital (RSUD). With parts of the hospital affected, patients and medical services were moved to emergency tents.
The incidents highlight the challenges faced by medical workers and patients in NTT as hospitals and health facilities continue to operate under emergency conditions following the earthquake.
Authorities and medical teams remain focused on providing treatment and shelter to affected residents while aftershocks continue to pose risks in several areas.
