Australia shares a long history with their closest neighbour Papua New Guinea, characterised by reciprocal support in times of need. But in terms of health outcomes, the two countries couldn’t be further apart, especially around maternal and child health. PNG has some of the world’s highest rates of maternal mortality, with at least 215 maternal ...
Australian Doctors International
Baby Bundles – Birthing Incentive Program for Rural PNG
GOAL
$35,000
Australia
Field of Interest
- Health/wellbeing and medical research
- International aid and development
Target Population
- People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage or vulnerability
- People with a disability, illness or disease
Australian Doctors International
ADI works closely with government and community to address health challenges in Papua New Guinea’s remote areas, focusing on sustainable healthcare solutions. Our aim is to improve health for all but our focus on women’s health reflects the acknowledged central role they play in village life, the discrimination they face and the proven multiplier effect for the whole community if women and girls are appropriately supported.
Our vision is for a healthier rural PNG.
PNG faces significant challenges in healthcare delivery. Working alongside local healthcare workers, ADI addresses challenges by deploying skilled doctors and health professionals to remote regions to implement programs that;
*provide direct health services including Maternal & Child Health, Emergency Obstetrics, Family Planning, Immunisation, and,
*build local capacity in health service delivery through training, in-service learning and public health education.
All ADI’s work is done through its Gender, Equity, Disability, Social Inclusion lens. Our staff, board and senior management comprise 90% PNG Nationals reflecting our commitment to build local capacity.
We are fulfilling our mission, delivering 56,000 clinical, counselling and screening services and administering 25,545 vaccinations in 2024 but there is more work to do which requires financial support.
Looking forward, ADI is building on the health supports it currently provides but basing them permanently within remote communities. These ‘Health Hubs’ are modelled on the WHO Healthy Islands concept and ADI's own successful 2024/25 pilot. This model enables ADI to address broader determinants of health, such as clean water/sanitation, alongside existing health services, thereby amplifying program efficacy.
Project Summary
Australia shares a long history with their closest neighbour Papua New Guinea, characterised by reciprocal support in times of need. But in terms of health outcomes, the two countries couldn’t be further apart, especially around maternal and child health.
PNG has some of the world’s highest rates of maternal mortality, with at least 215 maternal deaths per 100,000 births, and a neonatal mortality rate of 22 per 1000 births. Only 55% of pregnant women in PNG attend the recommended four or more antenatal care consultations and less than 40% of women receive supervised births at health facilities.
According to eminent practitioners Professor Glen Mola and Dr Barry Kirby, up to two thirds of newborn and maternal deaths in PNG could be prevented by accessing adequate antenatal care and skilled birth assistance.
For $70 per mother, we can increase supervised births by at least 50% and change these troubling statistics. In 2025/26 ADI plans to distribute 500 Baby Bundles to mothers in rural areas. Bundles contain essential items including clean delivery kits, baby clothes, and hygiene products and they create the incentive for women to give birth at a health facility.
Project Outcomes
Baby Bundle Program Target: a 60% increase in supervised deliveries in participating health facilities.
The most dangerous time for women is 24 hours before and after birth, accounting for 60% of maternal deaths. In PNG, the Maternal Mortality Rate for a hospital birth is 100 per 100,000 compared to between 800 -900 per 100,000 births for home/unsupervised births. A huge difference!
Baby Bundles incentivise women to have supervised deliveries at a health facility and enable timely management of any complications which may arise. They also provide mothers with the necessary tools to care for their newborns in the critical first few weeks of life while building trust between communities and health workers.
When women attend for a supervised birth, there is the additional opportunity to provide babies with first immunisations & treatments, educate women on the danger signs for themselves & their newborn babies, counsel women & provide family planning options.
$14,000 will provide 200 bundles delivered to 200 new mothers having supervised births at health centres. $35,000 will provide 500 Baby Bundles.
ADI uses mixed evaluation methods including data collection and pre/post surveys to monitor effectiveness. A 2023/4 recipient said, “Thank you so much for the Bundle, next delivery I will definitely come back to the health facility again”.
While we may feel there is room for improvement in our own health services, the health outcomes that we do experience in Australia can only be strengthened by helping to elevate those of our close neighbours and within our region.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $35,000
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| 500 Bundles @ $70 per bundle. Contents comprise 19 items: 1. Baby bath; 2. Baby blanket; 3. Cloth Nappies; 4. Sanitary pads; 5. Mother's pants; 6. Lap lap/sarong x 2; 7. Towels x 2(cotton); 8. Baby singlet x 2; 9. Baby pants x 2; 10. Safety pins; 11. Soap; 12. Toilet paper; 13. Baby hat/cap; 14. Baby powder; 15. Umbrella; 16. Thongs; 18. Bed sheet; 19. Baby health book. | $35,000 |
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