11 October 2013
Childbirth hotline to continue saving lives
Australia today handed over to PNG authorities an emergency telephone hotline that is helping to save the lives of mothers and babies in Milne Bay Province.
The Childbirth Emergency Phone Project was launched as a pilot project last October to help reduce PNG’s high maternal death rate, which is estimated to claim up to 1500 women’s lives in childbirth every year.
The Milne Bay Provincial Health Authority has successfully trialled the service which connects remote health workers to expert staff at Alotau Provincial Hospital who provide advice for difficult and emergency obstetric cases.
The Authority will take over funding and operation of the 24-hour hotline, which has dealt with 117 separate obstetric cases in seven months – almost all for complicated and emergency childbirth.
The Head of Australian Aid in PNG, Stuart Schaefer, said the handover is an excellent result for healthcare workers, women and families throughout the province.
“The commitment of the health workers and the Provincial Health Authority will ensure the hotline is sustainable,” Mr Schaefer said.
“We are proud to have partnered with the PNG government to grow this service, which started as an idea by Professor Glen Mola at the University of PNG.
“Improving maternal and child health is a priority focus of Australia’s support to PNG. PNG agrees and approves the priorities for Australian aid.
“We are increasing the number of trained midwives, supervised births, and the use of family planning – all proven methods to save mothers’ and babies’ lives.”
The hotline covers more than 40 health centres and 147 aid posts, including many in remote areas where there are no specialist staff. Alotau Hospital staff were trained in using the hotline and rural health facilities were provided with solar mobile phone chargers, maternal health books and standard treatment manuals.
Milne Bay Provincial Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Billy Naidi said the specialist advice has saved lives.
“In one instance, when a mother went into premature labour, a doctor talked the village nurse through performing a simple manoeuvre which ultimately saved the life of a mother and child,” Mr Naidi said.
“Communication is a major factor in hindering development so we must sustain this service. We are committed to continuing it for our hundreds of health workers based on islands and in remote locations.
“The hotline is also building relationships between health workers, so Alotau staff are getting to know what’s happening out there in the rural facilities.”
The addition of an Australian-funded obstetrician to the hospital’s staff will further improve the advice provided through the hotline.
The Chief Secretary of Papua New Guinea, Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc, said the service is the first of its kind in PNG.
“The Government of Papua New Guinea is interested in exploring the potential use of mobile phones in service delivery and development efforts, and innovative ways to address health issues,” Sir Zurenuoc said.
In partnership with PNG, Australia will be funding an emergency telephone project in the Western Highlands Province that will deal with obstetric emergencies and a variety of other issues.