In rural PNG the mortality rate in childbirth is 1:7, with a maternal mortality rate of 3 in every 1,000 live births. The need for aid here is great. From the first 100 Birthing Kits that were distributed we saw a significant reduction in both maternal deaths and infant deaths.
Originally supporting the villages of Kavataria, Mokosaida and Oyabia (2,000 people), Caring for Kiriwina has been able to expand Birthing Kit distribution to not only the villages of Kwemtula, Osaisuya, Gumilababa, Oyuveyova, Teiyava and Tukwaukwa (nearly 5,000 more people). We now distribute birthing kits across the entire Island of Kiriwina of approx. 55,000 people, including outlying Islands. We also distribute to the VBA’s mobiles and top-ups, kerosene lanterns, torches, warm clothing and aspirators and much more.
Each Birthing Kit also includes a Birth Certificate form, as birth records are not officially kept by the PNG Government.
We have over 300 CFK Village Birth Attendants (VBAs), who make use of the Birthing Kits, require continued training in the use of the Kits and we are additionally fundraising to organise trainers from Australia to continue to provide free training for these volunteers.
Please donate CLICK HERE
The bee’s knees of DISPOSIBLE BIRTHING KITS
We have created a network of dedicated volunteers to help in the ongoing packing and distribution of the disposable Birthing Kits. Any donations will be used to purchase contents, freight to the Island, purchase of warm jackets for the midwives, purchase of kerosene for the lamps, keeping the mobile accounts for our constant communication with the Island in credit.
HOW DO BIRTHING KITS WORK?
A Birthing Kit works by providing the 7 cleans for a clean birth:
- Clean birth site – preventing delivery onto the floor
- Clean hands – to prevent the birth attendant transmitting germs to mother and baby
- Clean ties – to prevent bleeding from the umbilical cord for mother and baby.
- Clean razor – to reduce infection caused by other implements
- Clean gauze – to wipe away birth canal secretions from the eyes, to decrease future eye infections
- Clean umbilical cord – washing and drying the stumps prevents infection
- Clean perineum
THE CONTENTS OF A KIRIWINA BIRTHING KIT
1m x 1m bedding sheet for the mother to lie on
A piece of soap
2 gloves
3 gauze squares
3 cord ties or 2 clamps
1 Sterile scalpel blade.
2 heavy flow re-usable sanitary pads
1 wipe
1 pair of underwear
1 Birth Certificate translated into Kiriwinan
All contained in a small wet bag to use to discretely transport sanitary pads
Sealed with an instructions sticker translated into Kiriwinan.
Photo of the Caring for Kiriwina birthing kit content below.
Photo of our wonderful Caring for Kiriwina Village Birth Attendants above.
Some of the mothers and babies that have been delivered by our CFK Village Birth Attendants above
We have strict rules on disposal of the kits and have supplied mobile phones to allow direct communication with the VBA’s who make regular reports.
We supply over 275 CFK Village Birth Attendants from all villages across the Island including: Kavataria, Mulosaida, Kwemtula, Osesuia, Oyuvayova, Tukwaukwa, Wabutuma, Luya, Bwetalu, Loubuwa, Siviyagila, Kudukweikela, Kepwapu, Kuluwa, Buduweilaka.
We have also supplied CFK midwife uniforms.
Thank you to the midwife co-ordinators: Ruth, Lois, Florence, Dorothy, Dulcie, Dorin and Roda
In-Country managers: Toks Bwaina and Lepani Ahab and Mr Ariston Pesiana.
All this life saving work could not have been achieved without the help of the DFAT Friendship Grant and our Volunteers, Sponsors and Donors. Thank you!!!
Caring for Kiriwina is supported by the Australian Government.
Please Donate. Click here
