Provision of Birthing Kits…

We put Ros on a plane at lunch time and she is now on the slow journey home via Addis Ababa, Dubai, Kuala Lumpar and Perth. I told her I wouldnt let her leave until she had written a report on the birthing kits and medical equipment. She finished it this morning.


A report by Ros Stafford-Green
Following the 2008 trip by Steve and Joseph, there was interest expressed for birthing kits to be made available. 200 Zonta Birthing Kits were provided by Birthing Kit Foundation Australia (BKFA) for this trip. To ensure they would be used appropriately and that maternal and foetal outcomes would be known it was necessary to make contact with those who would use them. It soon became apparent that a new hospital at Malek Alel Church of Christ worked with some trained Traditional Birthing Attendants (TBAs) who could use these for home births. They had some experience using them some years back and realised their benefit. One bag of 100 kits along with a small amount of medical equipment was gratefully accepted for use in this community in Aweil South County.

Then travelling to the north west of Aweil we spent time in communities that have been decimated by the effects of war. However, with greater stability at the moment, Darfuri refugees and returnees from the north of Sudan are settling in the region. In a society where large families are expected, safe childbirth is a real issue. Here, complications at delivery can result in both maternal and foetal death. This is particularly pertinent in the Marialbai area where they are isolated and have no means of transportation when problems occur. As there are three trained TBAs there who had previous experience using the kits, the other bag of 100 birthing kits was offered to them. Cecilia, the head TBA, delivers three to four babies a week and was very keen to use the kits and receive further training.

At both these locations we were requested to provide further training for TBAs, as well as other medical, laboratory and nursing staff. We have begun to put in place the necessary administrative processes required by BKFA for an ongoing supply of birthing kits in these areas.


Whilst the optimal situation would be for all women to have access to a hospital and medical staff, the kits provide an immediate resource to help prevent infection, one of the major causes of death in Sudan.

Ros delivering birthing kits to Cecilia at Marialbai

Cecilia with one of the kits

Providing medical equipment to Philip Garang, the Clinical Officer at Malek Christian Hospital