NSW Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park, has today visited the site of what will become Australia’s first Aboriginal owned and midwifery-led free standing birth centre.
The Government has committed $45.5 million over seven years for Waminda’s Gudjaga Gunyahlamai Birth Centre and Community Hub in Nowra, which will support culturally safe holistic maternity care for Aboriginal women and their families in the South Coast region.
“The NSW Government is proud to work closely with Waminda to support the implementation of its Birthing on Country initiative,” said Minister Park.
“Birthing on Country models have proven to significantly improve maternal and perinatal outcomes, and Waminda is leading the way for all Aboriginal women to have access to continuous, culturally safe midwifery care, which includes antenatal, birthing, and postnatal support.
“With this major $45.5 million commitment over seven years we can better meet the social, cultural, spiritual and clinical needs of the local community.”
‘Birthing on Country’ models have been shown to improve maternal and perinatal outcomes, including women attending more antenatal visits, being less likely to have a premature birth and being more likely to exclusively breastfeed on discharge from hospital.
Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) has worked closely with the South Coast Women’s Health and Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation (Waminda) to support the implementation of its Birthing on Country initiative.
Waminda launched the Minga Gudjaga Midwifery Practice with the support of ISLHD in May 2024. This is the first phase of Waminda’s Birthing on Country initiative where Waminda’s privately practising endorsed midwives provide labour and birth care to women at Shoalhaven Memorial District Hospital.
“Waminda welcomes the Federal, State and Local Governments and their commitment to Birthing on Country to implement and improve the maternal and neonatal outcomes for Aboriginal families on the south coast of NSW,” said WAMINDA’s Minga Gudjaga and Birthing on Country Manager, Melanie Briggs.
“The life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and non Aboriginal people will be significantly improved through care that is culturally safe and respectful through Waminda’s Birthing on Country initiative.
“Waminda are honoured to continue our ancestors’ dreams for birthing that is woman centred, sacred and honours LORE and culture at its core,” she said.
