In the time it takes to read this page, a woman somewhere in the world will have died of a pregnancy or childbirth-related complication.
Every year 350,000 women and girls will die from largely preventable pregnancy and childbirth complications. Their deaths rob their families of mothers and daughters, and rob their countries of the precious resourcefulness of women.
This is one of the reasons that motivated Fijian Kolora Cavukali, a nurse of 22 years, to become a midwife five years ago.
A mother of three, Kolora Cavukali is no stranger to the challenges of giving birth. At one time she was responsible for helping not one, or two, but three mothers who were all ready to deliver newborns at the same time.
'I told my first patient, you lie on your left side and I'll go and deliver the other mother, baby comes out, I cut the cord, wrap baby up, and then attend to the next doing the same thing, after which I then attend to the next one and thank God they all came out healthy,' she said.
The experience has made Kolora value further training.
Kolora is in Sydney for six weeks to train with Australian counterparts through an Australian Leadership Awards Fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Under the program, Kolora and three other midwives from Fiji and eight from Papua New Guinea will work at hospitals in the western suburbs of Sydney over six weeks to develop links and share midwifery knowledge and experience.
Speaking from Fiji before departing for Australia, Kolora said there was still much for her to learn. The Colonial War Memorial Hospital where she works in Fiji averages about 700-900 births every month, and numerous deliveries are common. In some shifts, she has delivered up to four babies within eight hours.
'For me, this training in Australia will be invaluable,' she said. 'I want to learn more about birthing units. We have so few birthing units and yet so many patients. How do we manage this with postnatal care and clinic follow ups for mothers?'
'Also I want to know how to deal with complicated deliveries. In Fiji for example, we have diabetic mothers and this requires regular and cumbersome blood tests. Are there better ways to deal with this?'
'There is a lot I'd like to learn and in turn bring back to share with my colleagues in the maternity unit,' she said.
The fellowship is also about saving lives.
'Women in Fiji know the value of midwives,' Kolora said. 'When they come to hospital they ask the nurses, "Are you a midwife?". They know from their experience, or from others', how important it is to have a midwife there with you–someone who is trained and specialised in helping you and your baby to a safe and healthy delivery.'
Improving health in the Pacific
Funded by AusAID since 2010, the Pacific Midwifery Leaders Fellowship Program aims to make pregnancy and childbirth safer for women and babies across the Pacific. Under the fellowship midwives receive tailored training focusing on improved health care and obstetrics.
Australia is committed to helping our Pacific partners improve their health services. We work with international agencies, governments and communities to:
- strengthen health laws and policy
- improve health services financial and logistical management
- provide 24-hour basic and emergency obstetric care
- ensure access to services for the poor
- train a skilled health workforce
- provide equipment and medicines
- promote nutrition and immunisation
- educate people about healthy living
- offer family planning.
Investing in the lives of women and children increases productivity, promotes social stability, saves money and most importantly, saves lives.
More information
Health in PNG
AusAID at work in Fiji
Australian Leadership Awards Fellowship