A childbirth emergency hotline will continue to save lives in Papua New Guinea (PNG) following a successful trial period supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Following the success of the trial, the hotline will now be wholly financed and operated by the Milne Bay Provincial Health Authority in PNG.
The Childbirth Emergency Phone Project was launched as a pilot project in October 2012 to help reduce PNG's high maternal death rate, estimated to claim up to 1,500 women's lives in childbirth every year.
The 24-hour hotline has dealt with 117 separate obstetric cases in 7 months–almost all for complicated and emergency childbirth. Milne Bay Provincial Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Billy Naidi said the specialist advice available via the hotline has saved lives.
'In one instance, when a mother went into premature labour, a doctor talked the village nurse through performing a simple manoeuvre which ultimately saved the life of the mother and child,' Mr Naidi said.
The hotline connects remote health workers in more than 40 health centres and 147 aid posts, including those in remote areas without specialist staff, to expert staff at Alotau Provincial Hospital who provide advice for difficult and emergency obstetric cases.
Hospital staff were trained in using the hotline, and rural health facilities were provided with solar mobile phone chargers, maternal health books and standard treatment manuals.
The Chief Secretary of the PNG Government, Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc, said the service is the first of its kind in PNG.
'The Government of PNG is interested in exploring the potential use of mobile phones in service delivery and development efforts, and innovative ways to address health issues,' Sir Zurenuoc said.