The NSW Government is funding the state’s first Birthing on Country program.

The Minns Government has announced a $21.3 million investment to establish Australia's first Aboriginal-owned and midwifery-led free-standing birth centre in Nowra. 

This initiative marks a significant step forward in providing culturally safe and holistic maternity care for Aboriginal women and their families in the South Coast region.

The Gudjaga Gunyahlamai Birth Centre and Community Hub, spearheaded by Waminda, aims to offer comprehensive maternity services, including antenatal, birthing, and postnatal care. 

The centre is a crucial part of the Birthing on Country program, which has been shown to improve maternal and perinatal outcomes. 

Such models of care encourage more antenatal visits, reduce the likelihood of premature births, and promote exclusive breastfeeding upon discharge from hospital.

Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District has collaborated with the South Coast Women's Health and Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation (Waminda) to support the program's implementation. 

This initiative will work alongside the Binji & Boori Aboriginal Maternal Infant Child Health Service, enhancing access to culturally safe and respectful care for Aboriginal women and families in the region.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs David Harris said the program would help address health disparities.

“Birthing on Country gives opportunity for the best start in life for Aboriginal babies and their families, a natural transition to motherhood and parenting for women, and an integrated, holistic and culturally appropriate model of care,” he said. 

In related news, the Minns Labor Government has unveiled a $3.4 billion investment in the 2024-25 budget to upgrade hospitals and health facilities across New South Wales. 

Nearly $1 billion of the recent state budget will be allocated towards rural and regional health capital works projects, with over half a billion directed towards Western Sydney hospitals. Key investments in the budget include hundreds of millions for ongoing hospital redevelopments in Eurobodalla, Temora, Liverpool, Moree, Nepean, Cessnock, and Shellharbour. Port Macquarie Hospital will receive $265 million for upgrades, enhancing emergency and maternity services. 

Furthermore, $250 million will be directed towards a critical maintenance program across various hospitals and health facilities in NSW.