UNFPA has supported the distribution of vacuum extractor sets to each provincial and district hospital in Papua New Guinea. These sets will enable midwives and health practitioners to assist women experiencing prolonged labour deliver their babies and prevent complications.
Professor Glen Mola, Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Port Moresby General Hospital, welcomed the sets and emphasized the importance of having the right equipment available for complicated deliveries.
“These instruments are essential to help mothers during labor when they are having difficulties delivering their baby," he shared. "It can save the lives of both the mother and baby."
Professor Mola confirmed that the vacuum sets will be distributed to all provincial and district hospitals throughout PNG starting from April. This distibution is a significant injection of much-needed resources into the hands of health practitioners around the country - bringing high-quality maternal health care closer to rural populations.
Vacuum extraction is one tool available for health practitioners to assist women experiencing prolonged labour. PNG’s Midwifery Society President Sr. Mary Sitaing shared similar sentiments, adding that there has been a shortage of vacuum kits in the country since 2010.
“Vacuum extractor sets are very important instruments for health workers, especially in assisting those mothers who cannot have a normal delivery due to complications," said Mary. "We thank development partners, especially UNFPA, for their continuous support to midwives through the provision of such lifesaving supplies.”
UNFPA Country Representative Ms. Marielle Sander highlighted the agency’s commitment to bridge the gaps in demand for equipment at all health facilities throughout the country.
“Investing in midwives leads to a world where every pregnancy is wanted and every childbirth is safe and this is at the heart of UNFPA’s three transformative results, especially in Papua New Guinea,” said Marielle. “As part of this delivery, Laerdal Global Health (Norway) has also provided birthing mannequins to the Midwifery Society so that midwives can keep their life-saving skills up-to-date”.
UNFPA continues to work in partnership with the National Department of Health to ensure all women have access to quality maternal health care.
UNFPA and Maternal Health
UNFPA works to achieve a world in which every childbirth is safe. Training and support for emergency obstetric care (EmOnc) has been pivotal to the organization’s partnership with the National Department of Health to strengthen maternal health in Papua New Guinea. UNFPA supports this workforce with the equipment and medicines they need to provide the best care to women and girls in PNG.
