University of Tasmania medical students will help improve the lives of women who have little or no assistance during childbirth, through a special initiative.
The students who are part of IMPACT, a University of Tasmania medical society dedicated to promoting awareness of issues affecting the health of developing communities (locally and internationally), will run a birthing kit assembly night at the Launceston Clinical School.
The kits comprise of six birthing necessities: a sterile scalpel or blade and a cord for clean cutting and tying of the umbilical cord; gauze for cleaning; a clean plastic sheet to lie on, as well as bars of soap and gloves.
Once assembled, the kits are small enough to fit in the palm of someone’s hands so are easily transportable.
18 July 2017
Launceston Clinical School
The birthing kit assembly night will be run in conjunction with Birthing Kit Foundation (Australia) which assists women in the most challenging of situations, who for reasons of geographical isolation, cultural choice or lack of resources, have little or no assistance during childbirth.
World Vision Australia are partners of Birthing Kit Foundation (Australia). The birthing kits are assembled in Australia and are distributed to developing nations in Africa and Asia.
The inaugural Launceston event follows a similar evening held by medical students in Hobart.
Fourth year medical student and IMPACT member Devika Remash, said it was hoped that 200 kits could be compiled on the night and that the kits would play an important role in saving women and newborn babies worldwide.
Students from IMPACT.
It is estimated that over 30,000 women die annually (around the world) in childbirth from preventable infections, which is over 800 women every day.
“The kits will provide a clean and safe birthing environment for women in developing countries and help reduce the incidence of maternal morbidity and mortality.”
The details of the night are as follows:
Date: Tuesday 18 July, 7pm.
Venue: Launceston Clinical School (41 Frankland Street), Level 2, Rooms 203 and 205.
Cost: $10 for students, $15 for non-students. This buys you three kits to assemble.
Tickets available from: https://impactbirthingkitass.getqpay.com/
Contact email: impact.utas@gmail.com
Are you interested in a career in Health Sciences and Community Care or Medicine?