Operation transforms Christine’s life

From a very sick baby to a healthy child – what a difference ROMAC makes!

ROMAC’s 400th patient Andrea

Andrea was the 400th patient to be treated by ROMAC in Australia or NZ

Heart surgery patient Germaine recovers with a little help

Krisselda goes home

Krisselda, a Papua New Guinea girl who arrived in Canberra in March 2024, had multiple surgeries at the Canberra Hospital for caudal duplication syndrome, a very rare genetic condition in which internal systems are duplicated and bowel and bladder functions are not normal. 

Krisselda made good progress with her medical issues under the care of A/Prof Celine Hamid and A/Prof David Croaker. Krisselda attended Gold Creek School in between surgery and outpatient appointments and was hosted by Rotarian Gordana. While in Australia she turned 10 years old, celebrating her birthday with friends and Rotarians in a local park. She and her mother Sonia returned home in November, happy to be able to live a normal life.

Stancia

Delightful 8-year-old Stancia is from the highlands in Goroka, PNG. She needed major corrective surgery for an ano-rectal fistula.

Her operation was performed in April 2024, followed by 7 minor surgeries, to finally close her stoma. This surgery has been life-changing for Stancia and her mother Hilda.

Haggai’s story

Little Haggai, a baby girl from a remote mountain village in Papua New Guinea, came to Australia in the arms of her mother for emergency treatment for a massive facial disfigurement in June 2024. She is one of many children from Oceania whose lives have been changed forever by the work of ROMAC. 

It was an anxious and overwhelmed mother who brought her child to Australia, and a happy and confident one who returned home.

It was a little girl who had suffered since birth that arrived at Westmead Hospital, and a healthy one who departed.

That is the magic of ROMAC. Watch the video of Haggai’s story at https://bit.ly/3An6BiY.

Gabriella

Six-month-old Gabriella was treated in 2020 for a serious heart condition at Auckland’s Starship Hospital in New Zealand. She recovered well from her surgery and is now a happy, healthy child with a great future ahead.

Gabriella

Vinna’s journey

Vinna, from Vanuatu, first came to ROMAC in 2017 and followed a 2-year journey to repair a multiple fracture and infection of her right leg.

The final stages of treatment required the insertion of a plate to stabilise the bone graft and Vinna was due to have this plate removed in April 2020. Covid-19 intervened and the removal of the plate did not happen then. However, in November 2022 the plate was removed successfully..

Vinna’s journey has not only included ROMAC but also the wider community of supporters including Fruits of the Pacific, Marine Reach Family Care Centre, Vanuatu and members of the apple industry who have continued to take an interest and support the treatment of Vinna. For more information, read her story in the December 22 edition of our E-News.

ROMAC Australia
Mission Statement
ROMAC provides surgical treatment for children in Australia and New Zealand from developing countries from
our Pacific Region in the form of Life Giving and/or dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in
their home country.

With ROMAC
100¢ in every $1
goes directly to giving life to a child


ROMAC is totally voluntary

There are no paid staff and the small administration expenses incurred are paid from another income stream.

Donate Now

Since 1988,
500+ children have been given life

ROMAC has assisted, through other means, over 1,000 children since inception

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