The aim of the Low Resource Countries (LRC) SIG is to support improved outcomes for small and sick newborns around the time of birth and throughout the neonatal period. The SIG also heads ACNN's partnership with government, non-government and health-care workers of neighbouring low resource countries in the south pacific region.
Committee
- Chair: Donna Hovey (Qld)
- Secretary: Joanne La Spina (Qld)
- Treasurer Liaison: Lyn Chapple (Qld)
- Social Media Liaison: Sarah Neale (ACT)
- Ordinary Members: Linda Ng (Qld), Jane Langford (Qld), Helen Patterson (VIC), Melissah Burnett (VIC), Leanne Sheppard (NSW), Jessica Charlston (NSW), Judy Macey (Qld), Frankie Coulthurst (Qld).
Our Story
- The LRC SIG was established in 2014 and initially provided in-country training to health care workers in PNG. Undertaken in partnership with the Goroka Provincial Hospital, Touching the Untouchables (NGO) and the Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF). These collaborations increased the confidence, knowledge and skills of healthcare workers and village health volunteers (VHV) caring for newborns and their mothers around the time of birth.
- Between 2019-2023 (Covid-19) we needed to change our methods and began a partnership with Taking Paediatrics Abroad (TPA) utilising Webinars to provide monthly neonatal education sessions to colleagues across the South Pacific.
- On a global level we hold a commitment to maternal and newborn health aligning our strategies with the Every Newborn Action Plan, Sustainable Development Goals, Global Strategy for Women’s and the Children’s and Adolescent’ Health and Global Financing Facility.
We are happy to report that we have established new partnerships with neighbouring countries and are busy planning in-country training trips with our first since the pandemic undertaken in Tonga, June 2024.
What we do
Deliver education and practical training on neonatal resuscitation and care of the newborn to reduce preventable
deaths.
Partner with other like minded organisations to provide education and training, equipment and supplies: Taking
Paediatrics Abroad,
Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF), Rotary Australia and Medical
Pantry.
How we do this
In-country rural/remote settings: we undertake reoccurring onsite education and training using HBB via a low-dose,
high frequency
approach. We have found this framework improves the sustainability of participants knowledge and skills.
In-country nursery settings: we provide a week-long education and training package which incorporates formal theoretical
presentations, sim-based practical sessions and nursery bedside teaching.
Web-based tele-education: partnering with Taking Paediatrics Abroad we provide an hour long monthly education
session via the Zoom platform to colleagues to Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. These sessions are open to all
South Pacific low resource countries.
The training programs
Training is underpinned by the Helping Babies Survive (HBS) programs. These include Helping Babies Breathe (HBB), Essential Care for Every Baby (ECEB) and Essential Care for Small Babies (ECSB). HBB is an evidence-based, hands-on training program designed for low- and middle-income countries to teach the initial steps of resuscitation needed within the first minutes of life.
Achievements to date
In-country Training has been delivered in PNG 11 times and in Tonga once, so far.
PNG participants we have delivered training to over 1100 individuals healthcare workers in PNG including: School of Nursing Students,
Midwifery Educators; Goroka Hospital's Nursing, Midwifery & Medical Staff; as well as Village Health
Volunteers/Birth Attendants in isolated rural and remote settings.
Provided equipment including an ultrasound, washing machine, water tank, syringe pumps,
glucometers, biliblankets, warming mattress, oximeters, solar headlamps, HBB training equipment, face masks, suction penguins,
delivery suite bed mattresses, newborn clothing, beanies, bunny rugs.
Presented internationally, nationally and locally, including with and on behalf of PNG colleagues.
Friendships were gained and, immense knowledge, appreciation and understanding of the many cultures across the South
Pacific.
Interested in become a member?
Complete the online membership application HERE.
As a member you will :
- receive the ACNN newsletter 4 times a year
- receive regular emails from the LRC SIG committee
- have access to the Members Only area, information regarding: future trips, past trips, presentations, documents Login
- be able to join a committee meeting; we are very happy to welcome new members and meeting observers.
LRC SIG flyers other promotional material can be found HERE.
You can follow our activities though the ACNN Facebook and
Twitter sites.
Contact us at lrcsig@acnn.org.au for more
information about these or any SIG matters.
Looking for a Gift for someone special?
Purchase a 'virtual' gift - a resuscitation training kit, newborn parent guides or solar headlamp. All of these are needed to provide training and to support village health volunteers to care for mothers and newborns around the time of birth. For example: solar headlamps to generate light so that VHV's can see whilst supporting birthing mothers to walk to the health care centre or aid post in the rural and remote setting. Take a look HERE.
Monetary Donations are also greatly appreciated and can be made HERE.
Updated 9 December 2024