Chairman Doug McLean introduced friends Jo Pruis and Jayne Hatherall, together with ten year old Sebastian, to speak on the Papua New Guinea Highlands Foundation: Healthy Children Healthy Nations: Making a Difference In Papua New Guinea.

 

Papua New Guinea is a former Australian territory, and our closest neighbour, yet tragically its five million people suffer under a third world health system. 

Forty two babies in every thousand live births do not survive, compared with just 4.5 in Australia.

 

This Foundation provides funds, equipment and training opportunities for health care centres in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, and has been established by a number of Australian volunteer doctors, nurses and other health care professionals to support colleagues working in the poorly resourced health system in PNG. It was set up by two midwives from Melbourne to address the high infant and maternal mortality rate in Papua New Guinea, often due to maternal infection post-delivery and infant pneumonia.

 

Over the years, a core group of volunteers (over 100) with a diversity of specialty skills have travelled to PNG regularly to supply assistance and education. This group consists of nurses, midwives, neonatal and paediatric specialists, infection control experts, obstetricians, gynaecologists, doctors and medical students. They receive support from the wider Australian community who provide donations of medical equipment, items for our mum and baby project, transport to PNG, and money. Focus to date has been working with Goroka Base Hospital in the Eastern Highlands and Mount Hagen Hospital in the Western Highlands. The Foundation has no administrative costs and all volunteers fund their own trips to PNG.

 

Jo and Jayne came across the Foundation on Facebook and set up a south-west arm. They have had fantastic support from Rotary clubs, CWAs and op shops along with individuals during the past several months. “It’s been really inspirational,” she said. “We’re very overwhelmed and touched by people’s generosity". Jo and Jayne’s focus, supported by our Club is on providing mothers and babies kits to help improve early childhood outcomes. The mum and baby packs are given to expectant mothers at antenatal visits and in the labour ward. Women often arrive at the hospital to give birth with nothing. They have had to wrap the baby in the clothes they are wearing after giving birth, so these packs provide essentials for both the mother and baby. The project has been instrumental in reducing infant pneumonia and other illnesses by improving hygiene and providing warmth. Items such as cloth nappies, clothes and blankets are provided for the baby.

 

Infection following birth is the major cause of maternal mortality. Providing basic supplies such as towels, soap, underwear and pads improve hygiene and help reduce the chance of infection. In PNG many women birth alone with no medical assistance. These packs are an incentive for women to attend hospital for both antenatal clinics, education, and for the birth of their baby. Through the generosity of the south-west community 150 packs with everyday necessities for mothers and newborns will be sent to Papua New Guinea. The packs consist of a homemade bag made out of a pillowcase, filled with jump suits, cloth nappies, singlets, beanies, booties, cardigans and a piece of clothing for when the baby is older. For the mother the pack included sanitary pads, a nightie, a maternity bra, underwear and soap, along with a small present for mother and baby.

 

Jo and Jayne are also seeking knitted blankets, soft toys, baby cardigans and  beanies. Ten year old Sebastian from St Pius X school spoke on how blessed he feels to live in Australia, and wanted to help. He has a seed collection and sale project which enables him to contribute financially, and he invited Rotarians to provide some seeds for sale. Sebastian's address for sending seeds is: 7 Hakea Court, Dennington 3280.

 

Our guests thanked the club for its generous support, including the proceeds from the film night organised by Rotarian Svet.