Student insight to benefit third world

Health Sciences

University of Adelaide students are doing their part to help bring basic health needs to people in third world countries.

Insight - a global health group established by University of Adelaide medical students - is committed to connecting students to world health issues and empowering them through education, action and inspirational opportunities.

Since 2007, Insight has been working alongside Zonta International to help deliver simple, sterile birthing kits to Papua New Guinea, Ethiopia and other countries to help improve the medical care delivered to mothers and their infants.

"According to the World Health Organization, more than half a million women die every year from childbirth and 20 times that number suffer infection or lasting injury as a complication of delivery. Sadly, over 99% of these women live in the developing world where they are unable to access even the simplest obstetric care," said Leigh Warren, co-chair of Insight and 5th-year medical student at the University of Adelaide.

In March, more than 150 University of Adelaide students gathered in the Engineering & Maths Sciences building and tackled the sizeable task of packing 4000 birthing kits to be sent across to Ethiopia. Dental, Medical and Engineering students worked alongside Faculty of Health Sciences staff members throughout the day to achieve the group's ambitious goal.

"Insight is very much about connecting local students to the seemingly insurmountable challenges of global health. The birthing kits workshop achieved that goal and helps to demonstrate that even small contributions can make a significant difference," Leigh said.

Event organiser Mark Hassall, a 4th-year medical student, said: "It's very exciting to see such a diverse range of students uniting to help deliver fundamental health resources to women overseas.

"The 4000 birthing kits were finished by the end of a long day's packing and were promptly dispatched to Ethiopia where they will be distributed by the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital."

The birthing kits contain: a clean sheet of plastic for the child to be born on, soap and gloves so that those assisting with the birth can remain clean and avoid infections such as HIV, some string and a scalpel to assist with cutting the umbilical cord, and some gauze to help clean potentially infective material from the eyes of the newborn child.

"These are basic necessities, and hopefully they will play some part in helping to prevent infection and complications during childbirth," Mark said.

To learn more about Insight, visit: www.insight-health.org.au or email chair@insight-health.org.au