Media Release:
Safer Births for Remote Rwandan Mothers

15 May 2011

The Minister of Health, Dr Agnes Binagwaho and Permanent Secretary Dr Uzziel Ndagijimana met with Dr Marie Dayton, Zonta Birthing Kits Foundation Australia (BFKA) and Professor Shirley Randell, Coordinator for International Relations, Rwanda Association of University Women, this week to discuss the possible introduction of birthing kits to Rwanda.

MINISANTE has a goal of every mother giving birth safely in a health centre or hospital; however, some births come unexpectedly when it is not possible for the mother to make a visit to the nearest clinic in time for the baby’s arrival.

Dr Dayton explained that these simple birthing kits are targeted to women giving sudden birth at home or on their farm with no assistance, or with the assistance of a traditional birth attendant or community health care worker/midwife.

If MINSANTE is satisfied with their examination of the kits, Australia will provide at least 2000 birthing kits to Rwanda in the first instance.

The small lightweight birthing kits hold supplies to satisfy the requirements for women to have a clean, safe birth. The kits are assembled by volunteers from university and high school students in Australia on Assembly days. The materials are donated by large foundations and businesses.

Angelina Muganza, President of RAUW, a partner in the project, said that RAUW members would be able to organise for similar Assembly days with Rwandan students making kits, using locally sourced materials.

Since 2006, Australia has distributed over 600,000 birthing kits to more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific region, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar and Afghanistan.

BFKA also provides birth attendant training programs where health, nutrition, hygiene and midwifery are taught, along with how to properly use the birthing kit. A pictorial training manual for the attendees is provided.

BFKA is an organisation dedicated to improving the lives of women giving birth in developing countries by reducing the incidence of infant and maternal mortality. Like Rwanda, BFKA aligns their efforts with the commitments of the Millennium Development Goals.

Contact Dr Marie Dayton, who will be in Kigali until the evening of Wednesday 18 May, through Prof. Shirley Randell -0788308967 or Mr Bashir Nkusi, 0788341660

<< Back to Letters to the Editor & Media releases page