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Apunipima Health Worker Johanna Hunt is an inspiration by Juliana Doupe 2 May 2014
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punipima Cape York Health Council Maternal and Child Health Worker Johanna Hunt (pictured) has won a scholarship to present at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) third Indigenous Women’s Health Meeting in Adelaide this week. The event brings together health professionals from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands who share the common desire to see greater improvements in the health outcomes of Indigenous women. Johanna Hunt and Maternal and Child Health Team Leader Johanna Neville will present on Apunipima’s Baby Basket project which has been running since 2009. ‘Three Baby Baskets (which contain a range of
products for babies and new mums) are provided to Cape York mums as part of the project. The first basket is given at the initial antenatal visit, the second when mum comes to Cairns to give birth and the third when the baby is around six months old,’ Ms Hunt explained. ‘We value the opportunity to present on the Baby Basket project. A recent evaluation found that the baskets increase Cape York women’s engagement with antenatal and postnatal health services, provide important assets to families and most importantly, create a sense of belonging for the women. Their experience is that they are part of a health service which cares.’ Ms Hunt said she is honoured to have won the scholarship. ‘I feel privileged to be able to attend this event. I’m looking forward to sharing our stories, meeting health workers from other countries,
learning from their experiences and finding out how they manage local health challenges.’ Johanna Hunt holds a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) and has a Diploma of Community Services. Prior to starting with Apunipima in 2013, Johanna lived and worked in Aurukun for five years. Her roles included working with young first time mums and child development. Johanna is currently the Maternal and Child Health Worker for Aurukun and will start her postgraduate nursing studies in July this year.
A number of other Apunipima staff will also be presenting at the event including Community Nutritionist Kirby Murtha and Advanced Nutrition Promotion Health Worker Derlene Gray, who will discuss maternal and child health nutrition in Cape York, and present the outcomes of the Fred Hollows Early Childhood Anaemia Prevention Project, which included one pilot community in Cape York and Senior Medical Officer, Dr Jacki Mein who will discuss the Baby Basket evaluation process.
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