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Timor-Leste Nurses Learning Life-Saving Skills In Mackay

Midwives and nurses from Timor-Leste will complete vocational training in Mackay in an effort to reduce maternal mortalities. Photos supplied

It’s a shocking statistic that a female giving birth in a Timor-Leste hospital is 14 times more likely to die, or have her baby die, than if she gave birth in Australia.

Timor-Leste has one of the highest rates of maternal mortalities, perinatal (stillbirth and newborn death), and infant mortality rates in the world. As a result of the recent conflict with Indonesia, the older generation of mentors is deceased and there is also a lack of infrastructure and training. To help combat the sad statistics, the Mackay area Rotary clubs are sponsoring a vocational training team of 14 nurses and midwives from Timor-Leste to train at the Central Queensland University Nursing Campus in Mackay. District Directory (D9560) Bente McDonald said many clubs in the region have been involved in developing a grant application and assisting with the project. “We have also developed a strong relationship with our partner Central Queensland University which will deliver the training,” Ms McDonald said.

The vocational training team will attend a five-week course at Central Queensland University in Mackay, from January 7 to February 12, 2023. There will be an induction ceremony on Sunday January 8 at 9:00am, at CQU’s Canefield College, where interested people are welcome to attend.

“The nursing/midwifery training that will be offered in Australia is not available to the vocational training team members in Timor-Leste,” Ms McDonald added. The area of focus will be maternal and child health. The participants all have nursing degrees and have worked for at least two years as nursing midwives, most much longer. The group will be accommodated at Mackay Central Queensland University Student Accommodation.

“The Rotary clubs of Mackay Region are managing the program for the nurses,” Ms McDonald said.

“During the visit, they will be acting as tourist guides to the Timor-Leste visitors, escorting them around to explore many of the region’s wonderful attractions. “On Australia Day our Timor-Leste guests, along with any interested people, will be invited to join our local Mackay clubs’ Australia Day celebrations. “At the end of the Timor-Leste group’s fiveweek study visit to Mackay there will be a Rotary Foundation Celebration Dinner at which the vocational training team members will receive course completion certificates from the Dean of Nursing at Central Queensland University. “This is a Rotary Foundation Project conveying that with good leadership, and determination, we can make a difference and do good in the world!”