Maternity ward facelift

A MOTHER who recently gave birth to a healthy baby girl in the new birthing ward at the Angau Memorial Hospital in Lae, Morobe, has praised the facility.
Georgina Simon said she appreciated the convenience it provided new parents.
“The new birthing facility is just awesome,” she said.
“It’s very clean, healthy, and has private rooms with its own bathing facility.”
This is Simon’s second birth.
Her first birth, which were twins, was at the old labour ward which is now the antenatal ward.
She said the new facility was a big improvement in terms of bed spacing, privacy and the patient care received from the midwives.
Simon acknowledged the governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea for funding the new facility.
She also thanked the hospital’s management, the donor and contractors.
According to a statement from the Australian High Commission, the new birthing ward, which was opened last year, had improved services for expectant mothers.
More than 11,700 babies have been born at the new facility.
The birthing ward consists of 10 private birthing suites, eight observation beds and has specialised equipment.
This is one component of the Angau Hospital redevelopment project.
The redevelopment project is not just constructing buildings and installing medical equipment, but also coordinating and delivering clinical training support including training for the midwives and the clinicians working at the new birthing ward, as well as other wards.
Birthing ward nurse manager and midwife Sister Florence Nick said aside from the improved infrastructure and equipment, nurses underwent midwifery training to ensure they delivered the best healthcare to women.
“After going through the midwifery training facilitated by the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre at the Sydney University of Technology I have seen a big improvement,” she said.
Nurses and midwives are providing improved care and are more confident delivering babies during potentially risky scenarios when the doctors are not available.