Nurse takes pride in delivering 39,000 babies

 By LEAH OMAE

SISTER Dorothy Labu claims she has delivered more than 39,000 babies in the country – in a career spanning 40 years.

She is so proud today because she was committed to assisting women during child birth ever since she graduated as a nursing sister at the Boram Nursing College in 1969.

Labu, 63, is from West Yangoru, East Sepik. She will be celebrating her 40 years in midwifery on July 17.

She started her career in midwifery in July 1975 at the age of 23. 

The country was then preparing to celebrate independence in September.

She has eight children, 15 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Labu women during child birth – and is still at it today.

“I’m still delivering babies at Paradise Private Hospital in Port Moresby for eight years now,” she said.

“I am now delivering the fourth generation of children.”

Growing up in her home town of Wewak in the 1960s, she used to see nursing patrol officers conducting health awareness.

At 17, after completing Grade 8 at the girls’ boarding school at Brandi, she enrolled at the Boram School of Nursing in 1965. 

She graduated as a nursing sister in 1969.

He interest in midwifery forced her to take a midwifery course at the Rabaul School of Nursing in 1974.

She continued the course at the Port Moresby General Hospital the same year, and graduated as a midwife in 1975.

“I don’t know when  my career will come to an end. Only God knows because he gives me strength each day to continue my work,” she said.