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 the ACNN's partnership with government, non-government and health-care workers of neighbouring low resource countries in the south pacific region.
- E: lrcsig@acnn.org.au
- Mobile: 0456 645 261
- Terms of Reference
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).
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.
We partner with other like minded organisations to deliver and provide education, equipment and supplies: Taking
Paediatrics Abroad,
Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF), Rotary Australia and Medical
Pantry.
How we do this...
In-country: we undertake reoccurring onsite education and training using a low-dose,
high frequency
approach. We have found this framework improves the sustainability of participants knowledge and skills.
Tele-education: by partnering with Taking Paediatrics Abroad we provide monthly education sessions to colleagues to Fiji,
Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. 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
Delivered Training to over 1100 individuals healthcare workers including: School of Nursing Students,
Midwifery Educators; Goroka Hospital's Nursing, Midwifery & Medical Staff; 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, with and on behalf of PNG colleagues.
Gained friendships, immense knowledge, appreciation and understanding of the PNG culture.
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.
We are very happy to welcome new committee members and observers. Contact us at lrcsig@acnn.org.au for more information about this or any SIG matters.
Need flyers and more information for your workplace - check out available promotional flyers HERE.
Interested in becoming a member? Complete the online membership application HERE.
Keep up to date on activities and events via the ACNN Facebook page,
the ACNN newsletter or news and events
pages.
Login to the Members Only area for information regarding: future
trips, past trips, presentations, documents
Updated 15 September 2024