SDG3.2 - Reducing Newborn and Child Mortality, with Hon. Dr Tinte Itinteang and Sr. Christine Otai

Good Will Hunters

Welcome to Episode 2 of our SDG3 series. In this series, we’ll be going through each of the targets of SDG3. In our previous episode, we looked at maternal mortality, and specifically some exciting work happening right here in Australia to developed inhaled oxytocin, to help prevent postpartum hemorraghe, which is one of the leading causes of maternal death. We also heard about the importance of connectivity and support networks for nurses and health workers in remote areas, dealing with often complex pregnancies and births. Today we move onto SDG3.2, which is ‘by 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births'. Today’s episode is very special - you’ll be hearing from the Kiribati’s Honourable Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Tinte Itinteang, along with members of his team and partners. Kiribati has one of the highest rates of Under 5 Mortality in the Pacific, second to Papua New Guinea. Despite decades of programs and partnerships, the dial has not shifted enough. The Honourable Minister and his team are embarking upon a new program - it is the Child Community Nursing Outreach Program or CCNOP. It’s a first of its kind program in Kiribati - and that’s all I’m going to tell you. You’ll have to listen to hear more. You’ll hear lots of different people speaking in this interview, I have listed all of their names in the show notes. This interview left me both saddened by the unacceptably high rates of child and infant mortality in Kiribati, but also extremely buoyed by the skill, passion and vision of the team who I had the honour of speaking to. The first voice you’ll hear is that of the Honourable Minister - I hope you enjoy. Following the Honourable Minister, you will hear from Sister Christine Otai. Christine is Adara’s Senior Newborn Advisor, based in Uganda. She contributes to the improvement of newborn health in Uganda through training, mentoring and coaching. Christine worked at Kiwoko Hospital for 28 years. For nine of these years, she worked as In-Charge of the Kiwoko Hospital maternity ward. For 18 years she worked as In-Charge of the Kiwoko neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In 2010, Christine was honoured with the International Neonatal Award for Excellence. In 2021, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Heroes in Health Awards. She has also been recognised as a newborn health champion by the Ugandan Ministry of Health.