INDIGENOUS BABY BASKETS TO HELP CLOSE THE GAP
Published Wednesday, 29 October, 2008 at 02:28 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Special baby baskets will be rolled out in Cape York communities over the next two months, as part of the Bligh Government’s commitment to close the gap in health outcomes for Indigenous Queenslanders.
Premier Anna Bligh and Health Minister Stephen Robertson yesterday handed over the first basket to Kerry Butcher, mother-to-be from Lockhart River.
“Earlier this year, we set a target to close the gap in health outcomes for Indigenous Queenslanders and meeting this target must begin with improving maternal and child health,” Ms Bligh said.
“At my request, Dr Lara Weiland and Dr Richard Heazlewood address Cabinet on 28 July 2008.
“This was a stark reminder of enormity of the challenge we face.
“I gave a commitment that Cabinet would look at a specific response to maternal and child welfare, including a proposal to give Indigenous mums incentives to attend antenatal and child health checks.
“Over the next two months baby baskets will be rolled out in at least four priority communities in Cape York, giving mothers vital education and tools to help them through pregnancy and the birth of their baby,” Ms Bligh said.
The baskets are only one part of $1.5 millon trial of key maternal and child health enhancements – in partnership with Apunipima Cape York Health Council.
Other initiatives include intensive home visiting, breast feeding, parenting, nutritional and immunisation programs.
These initiatives will be supported by four new Indigenous Maternal and Child health workers, four new Chalali Doulas (Parent Carers), four new Child Health Nurses, one new Indigenous Nutrition Worker and one extra Midwife and new Rural Medical Officer.
“Baby baskets will be rolled out in four priority communities – Kowanyama, Pormpurraaw, Napranum and Lockhart River,” Mr Roberston said.
“Baskets will next go into other Cape communities in 2009-2010 and to other Indigenous communities across the State in 2011-2012.”
The baskets will include a range of essential baby products, toys and books as well as important health information.
The contents of the basket will be reviewed regularly to cater for the specific needs of women attending ante-natal, post-natal and baby health checks.
For example, at a first baby health check, which occurs between two to four weeks, the pack will include a baby sling and baby lotion.
“There is strong evidence that babies whose mothers attend care early in their pregnancy, and regularly throughout, are much more likely to be born with a normal birth weight and at a normal gestation,” Mr Robertson said.
“We know that babies born at normal weight following a normal pregnancy are less likely to develop health problems later in life.”
Media contact:
Minister’s Office 0458 449 267
Premier Anna Bligh and Health Minister Stephen Robertson yesterday handed over the first basket to Kerry Butcher, mother-to-be from Lockhart River.
“Earlier this year, we set a target to close the gap in health outcomes for Indigenous Queenslanders and meeting this target must begin with improving maternal and child health,” Ms Bligh said.
“At my request, Dr Lara Weiland and Dr Richard Heazlewood address Cabinet on 28 July 2008.
“This was a stark reminder of enormity of the challenge we face.
“I gave a commitment that Cabinet would look at a specific response to maternal and child welfare, including a proposal to give Indigenous mums incentives to attend antenatal and child health checks.
“Over the next two months baby baskets will be rolled out in at least four priority communities in Cape York, giving mothers vital education and tools to help them through pregnancy and the birth of their baby,” Ms Bligh said.
The baskets are only one part of $1.5 millon trial of key maternal and child health enhancements – in partnership with Apunipima Cape York Health Council.
Other initiatives include intensive home visiting, breast feeding, parenting, nutritional and immunisation programs.
These initiatives will be supported by four new Indigenous Maternal and Child health workers, four new Chalali Doulas (Parent Carers), four new Child Health Nurses, one new Indigenous Nutrition Worker and one extra Midwife and new Rural Medical Officer.
“Baby baskets will be rolled out in four priority communities – Kowanyama, Pormpurraaw, Napranum and Lockhart River,” Mr Roberston said.
“Baskets will next go into other Cape communities in 2009-2010 and to other Indigenous communities across the State in 2011-2012.”
The baskets will include a range of essential baby products, toys and books as well as important health information.
The contents of the basket will be reviewed regularly to cater for the specific needs of women attending ante-natal, post-natal and baby health checks.
For example, at a first baby health check, which occurs between two to four weeks, the pack will include a baby sling and baby lotion.
“There is strong evidence that babies whose mothers attend care early in their pregnancy, and regularly throughout, are much more likely to be born with a normal birth weight and at a normal gestation,” Mr Robertson said.
“We know that babies born at normal weight following a normal pregnancy are less likely to develop health problems later in life.”
Media contact:
Minister’s Office 0458 449 267