Divine Mother and Child Service from Australia
Youth from Health in Kind Foundation conducted Divine Mother and Child free health screenings and health education sessions in three locations across Australia:
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Tweed, New South Wales
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Melbourne, Victoria
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Perth, Western Australia
New South Wales
In Tweed, New South Wales, Health in kind youth were invited to provide health checks at the Family Fun Day on Saturday, October 28, 2017. Free health checks were provided to mothers and children on that day. The following week on November 6, 2017 Health in Kind was invited to Healthy Jarjums Day. This session was held for the mums and bubs of the Guyahyn Aboriginal Playgroup.
Health in Kind coordinated with various health professionals to participate and provide their services free-of-charge at this session. The health professionals that were present included a nurse, audiologist and pharmacist. The nurse delivered an informative and interactive presentation on the health condition, otitis media (a group of inflammatory diseases of the middle ear). A number of questions were asked by the audience throughout the presentation, which facilitated a strong, group-learning environment. Additionally, the audiologist performed ear checks and contributed to the otitis media education session. Finally, the pharmacist dealt with various health queries that came up throughout the day.
The comfortable setting of this health session was very conducive in terms of engaging the mums and children with the health education and health checks. The organisers of the play-group were highly appreciative of Health in Kind’s contribution and are keen for Health in Kind to participate in future health days.
The participating health professionals saw merit in providing their health services in these settings and are looking forward to participating in subsequent sessions.
Victoria
In Melbourne, Victoria, health specialists from Health in Kind have been working with the refugee community to implement the Divine Mother and Child Program with free medical and dental health screenings and advice. At the most recent programme held on the November 1, 2017 there were two general practitioners, one dentist and dental assistant. In the sessions, 25 medical screenings and 32 dental screenings were performed. The patients consisted of children (three months to five years of age) and mothers. Free vitamin supplements and oral health bags were also provided for the families to take home. The feeling of joy and love was experienced by not just those receiving the service, but also by those who have been involved in the programme.
Perth
In Perth, youth conducted free health screenings during their monthly service activity with indigenous children and families. Ear checks were done as part of the health screening.
