Clinic for African mums

DANDENONG and Casey Hospitals are providing specialised ante and post-natal care for newly migrated mothers from African countries.
The State Government last week showed off the new African Women’s Clinic at Dandenong Hospital which it helped establish with $60,000.
Health Minister Bronwyn Pike said African mothers ‘had enough on their plate’ trying to adapt to the Australian way of life while navigating the maze of maternity services on offer.
“It became evident there were cultural issues acting as a barrier to the women fully utilising general maternity services,” she said.
“As a result, the program provides the women with culturally appropriate antenatal services, extended postnatal care and other services.
“The women appreciate being able to access these culturally appropriate services, especially if they are more recent arrivals and are still trying to cope with the pressures of settling in a new country.”
Ms Pike said the program gave the women access to a range of services and health professionals, including midwives, obstetricians, GPs and social workers.
“Access to midwives is especially important to the African women,” Ms Pike said.
“The service provides primary midwifery care to low-risk women, including antenatal, birthing, postnatal and home care, and is particularly important to the African mothers.
“They are also able to access the refugee nurse who works at the Greater Dandenong Community Health Service,” Ms Pike said.