Nine-year-old Sireli Cama is receiving specialist treatment at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital after an emergency mercy flight from Moce in the Lau Group.

Sireli, who has been battling a severe facial infection known as Buccal Necrotizing Fasciitis for the past week, was flown to Suva alongside his 69-year-old grandmother, Takayawa Imele.

The emergency evacuation was made possible after a district nurse in Moce searched for mobile phone coverage to request urgent medical assistance.

The helicopter transporting Sireli was granted permission to refuel at Albert Park in Suva to speed up the rescue, allowing the child to be transferred quickly to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital for specialist care.

Imele expressed gratitude to God, as well as to everyone involved in the rescue, including the Prime Minister, the Minister for Health and Medical Services, the medical team in Moce and the helicopter crew, for ensuring her grandson arrived safely in Suva.

“I’m grateful that the nurse told us that we will be airlifted here and at 1pm the helicopter came. My husband and I are happy that health officials were able to help our grandson who has been suffering due to the diseases, he couldn’t sleep due to the pain. “

She adds her grandsons face was swollen but it is getting better now.

Sireli is now receiving treatment at the Children’s Ward at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital.