During her 2016 medical placement at the Vila Central Hospital, MJF Board member Ashlee Jewson had the opportunity to consult with staff and management about how best to support them in their work through the provision of equipment and supplies.
As part of these discussions, the provision of cardiotocograph (CTG) machines to the maternity ward was identified as an area of extremely high need. The Melanie Jewson Foundation were thrilled to be able to offer our support by purchasing two machines, scheduled for delivery in May 2017.
A CTG machine is an electronic foetal monitor, used to measure a baby’s heart beat and the mother’s contractions during pregnancy and particularly during a difficult labour. It enables the birth attendants to monitor the health of the baby during delivery, and determine when the baby’s life is at risk. It helps to make the decision about whether it is safe to continue with a normal delivery or if a caesarean section is required.
The maternity ward at Vila Central Hospital sees the most patients of any department at the hospital, and as many women do not have access to the degree of antenatal care that would be expected in Australia, deliveries are frequently difficult and potentially dangerous for mother and baby. The maternity ward currently has only one CTG machine that is fully functioning and it is old and run down.
The Melanie Jewson Foundation has purchased two machines for use at the hospital in early 2017. We were lucky enough to secure two Phillips FM20 machines for almost half price from a supplier in the USA. They are currently on order and expected to be in use at the Vila Central Hospital within six months.
