Kokoda Trek to health

NO ROADS TO HEALTH:

The Problem
Progress in PNG’s health status has declined since 1975 when it gained its independence from Australia. Papua New Guinea has some of the worst maternal mortality statistics in the world. Women dying in childbirth doubled in Papua New Guinea between 1990 and 2008. The lifetime risk of dying in pregnancy for a PNG mother is 1 in 20. 1 in 12 children die before 5 years of age. There are 10000 pediatric deaths per year. Infants are twice as likely to die before 1 year of age in rural areas. Currently there is 1 community health care worker per 2333 people.

The Solution
To inject (at a minimum, twice a year) into remote villages a team of medical staff with skills sets specific to the needs of the communities surrounding Kagi, Efogi and Menari. This team will provide education to village women in particular and general medical care to the locals. Education will be centred around:
Maternal health
Infant health & well being
Breast feeding
Wound & infection management
Nutrition

The team will support, mentor and provide training to the community health care workers who currently work on rotation along the track with a view of supporting the long term strategy.

I have always had a dream of volunteering in an overseas country and with my 10 years of nursing experience I feel that "No Roads Kokoda - health" program will allow me to utilise my skills to enhance the healthcare of the PNG villages.

Thank you very much for your contribution.....