ACFID National Conference

30-31 October, 2018

The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) National Conference focusing on Human Rights in the 21st Century was held at the University of NSW (UNSW) from 30-31 October. Speakers included Ms Amanda Bartley, PwC Director Social Impact; Associate Professor Black; ChildFund Ms Olive Oa; Dr Penny Uther and Ms Michele Rumsey, Director WHO CC UTS. Ms Amanda Bartley opened discussion around how health practitioners can reach women in rural and remote parts of PNG to provide better health care services in these really remote settings. The focus was on encouraging health seeking behaviours to prevent infant mortality, operationalising the rights-based approach to health care in remote settings and how to prioritise the needs and demand for health when it's hard to get adequate supply. Associate Professor Black discussed Sexual and Reproductive health and the Sustainable Development goals in relation to the specific challenges to implementation in PNG. Ms Olive Oa discussed the ChildFund findings from their recently released report - A National Health Crisis: Maternal Deaths in PNG. Dr Penny Uther discussed her recent work in PNG on the provision of health directed to women and children and education of frontline healthcare workers. Ms Michele Rumsey discussed her work with the WHO Collaborating Centre and recent paper “The state of midwifery in small island Pacific nations”. Ms Klara Henderson chaired the meeting to prompt vigorous discussion and exchange between all speakers and the audience.
For additional resources, visit  https://www.conference.acfid.asn.au/.