The reckless vandalism of a public defibrillator in Muri has jeopardised emergency medical care and frustrated those who worked to make it accessible.

Last week, a vital piece of medical equipment was recklessly vandalised in Muri, Ngatangiia, sparking disappointment and concern among community members and healthcare providers.

The defibrillator, housed in a cabinet outside the Juice Bar, was tampered with and stripped of essential components, leaving it unusable in an emergency.

The vandalism was discovered when the cabinet appeared untouched, but upon inspection, the defibrillator inside had been removed. Its battery and pads were later found discarded in a nearby driveway.

“This was a deliberate and thoughtless act,” said Tarina Moorfield of Rarotonga Home Healthcare/Toku Nei Ora’anga Ora, which sponsored the equipment alongside Mana Tiaki Ngatangiia.

“The defibrillator was installed there for a reason — to save lives. Whether it’s for someone in the village or a tourist, having immediate access to this equipment could make all the difference in a critical situation.”

Moorfield emphasised the emotional impact of the damage.

“We installed this unit following past tragedies where a defibrillator might have changed the outcome. That’s what motivates us to continue with this work - to prevent loss of life.

“To the person or people who did this,” Moorfield added, “I ask you to think hard about your actions. I hope your loved ones are never in a situation where this equipment is needed and not there.”

The community now faces the cost and delay of replacing the vandalised unit.

The defibrillator was installed in September last year, intended to serve the Muri and wider Ngatangiia area.

It reflected the healthcare organisation’s commitment to community safety and its mission to promote accessible emergency care.

When it was installed, Moorfield reminisced on one particular incident where a family were in need of a defibrillator but couldn’t access it on time.

“In one particular incident, the family were thinking, where is our nearest defib, it’s down at Pacific Resort, which is a good 300 metres from here,” Moorfield told Cook Islands News in September last year.

“If they had one at this end of Muri, this would have been a lot easier for them, and the outcome could have been different. Not saying it would have saved the person, but it could have changed the outcome.”