Maternal and Child Health Service in Australia - Case Study Example

 Continuum of care for maternal, newborn, and child health in Australia It is evident that many women and children die from infections that are avoidable or treatable. Many children die at an early age of between 2 to 5 years while many women die when they are pregnant or during birth. The situation is attributed to poor health facilities and inappropriate healthcare. The wellbeing of mothers and their children, especially infants, is closely associated. For instance, if a mother dies, it is highly probable that her infant will only live for less than five years as compared to that child whose mother is still alive (Mäntymaa, Puura, Luoma, Salmelin, Davis, Tsiantis, Ispanovic‐Radojkovic, Paradisiotou and Tamminen 2003, p. 181). Australia is one of the countries experiencing such problems, particularly in the rural areas. Consequently, the government invests a lot of money in the health care sector. The government had planned to develop and implement locally appropriate evidence based sustainable models of service delivery that included a strong health promotion and prevention focus. Many criticisms were noted during this period. Some people especially from the urban areas believed that the government had already done enough and the introduction of such programs would only waste public money. Consequently, health action by both the Australian government and the society can ensure a continuum of care for maternal, newborn, and child health. The Australian government needs to reconsider the provision of a complete harmonized family-centered service system to succeed in providing continuum care for maternal, newborn, and child health (Kuhlthau, Sheila, Jeanne, Alixandra & Diane et al 2011, p. 137). A synchronized structure of early childhood services that can respond to the upcoming and varying needs of mothers and infants in the rural areas is essential. It aids in achieving better results for children. Moreover, the systems are aimed at ensuring that people and the society become friendlier to children and mothers by providing comprehensive services (Kuhlthau, Sheila, Jeanne, Alixandra & Diane et al 2011, p. 137). The agenda can further improve the level of maternal and child health (MCH) services, especially in the rural areas by creating service systems that concentrate on the needs of family, infants and the society at the local level. Maternal and child health is a section of rural service network that comprises of local organizations, intercession services for early childhood, issues of family conflicts and parenting (Costello, Bernice, Adrian and Barbara 1998, p.169). Incorporation of other projects and networks like primary care partnerships and programs that support family innovation are crucial. The program might further develop the level of services to support mothers and infants. In addition, inclusion of health system is also necessary as this can offer therapeutic care and supply of drugs at the community level, creating an efficient supply system. In this case, hospitals will act as warehouses for drugs and centers for supervision and reporting. Another health action is the provision of a common service and reduction of health challenges. The Australian government should introduce a powerful policy plan that concentrates on the provision of better healthcare to the infants and their mothers. The program needs to reduce the challenges faced during childhood development. The policy plan would acknowledge that an infant’s health and growth is influenced by access to healthcare, improved childhood experiences, involvement in education and care programs (Barrera 1990, p. 75). The above policy plan incorporated with superior childhood programs is essential in developing the emotional being of infants. This is factual, especially for children experiencing different health challenges. Active involvement in early childhood programs like MCH can encourage constructive learning and eradicate the impact of the health challenges before they become established. The provision of enhanced services would assist in recognizing infants and mothers who need additional consideration, intervention, medical appointment and support. Moreover, it is aimed at consolidating families, encouraging social networks, and improving relationship within the local community. Enhanced services will also provide support and immunization programs to various families in the rural areas since they are the people mostly affected in Australia. Amendment of legislative frameworks like the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act can lead to the provision of enough care for mothers and infants. For instance, the government should introduce other principles that can serve as reference in the provision of state, state-funded and community services for the infants and their families (Scott 2006, p. 9). This is aimed at obtaining the right population of infants and their families and establishing the type and amount of care needed. Amendment of this legislative framework also sets out necessities concerning birth notification. The Act demands that an infant’s birth notification should be presented by the maternity services to the C.E.O of the rural government where the infant’s mother stays (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2012, p. 103). This should take place within two days after the mother has given birth. It is then the duty of the C.E.O to take the birth notice to the appropriate MCH caregiver, who communicates with the mother and request her to obtain the MCH service. Even though this Act is present, it has not been effectively implemented since the government has not provided enough follow up (Whittaker, Fernandez, Holmes & Gilligan 2015, p. 139). To reduce the number of reported deaths and infants, the government must implement legislative measures that would hold both the C.E.O and nurses answerable for any death. The approach will enhance services provided to the infants and mothers in the healthcare centers and the community at large. Improving the level of financial assistance to Maternal and Child Health Service is another essential health action. Australian government should provide enough money to essential health programs and services. Additionally, the financial assistance should be provided based on socioeconomic challenges, computed on the number of people accessing Family Tax Benefit in the rural areas (Basinga, Paul, Binagwaho, Soucat, Sturdy & Vermeersch 2011, p. 1421). This calculation can be done using the country’s Remoteness Index. Though the government provides funding to urban areas for 15 hours of service delivery to every family and 17 hours in the rural areas, it is essential to increase amount of time for funding in the rural regions considering that delivery of service in such places take time. The viable actions proposed will face resistance, especially those from the urban areas who believe that there is already enough care for maternal, newborn, and child health. For instance, they believe that the provision of a complete harmonized family-centered service system would not be possible because families have problems that they would not want to share with the public. Other people also believe that additional health actions would only increase the living standards by spending much of their salaries in paying government and family taxes respectively. In conclusion, provision of continuum of care for maternal, newborn, and child health in Australia can only be accomplished through various health actions. For instance, the provision of a complete harmonized family-centered service system can help realize better results for children. Other necessary health actions include amendment of legislative frameworks, improving the level of financial assistance and provision of a common service. Though such actions will always experience challenges from the opposing views, Australian government needs to be firm and proactive while ensuring such actions are implemented. List of references Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2012, Child protection Australia 2010-11. Barrera, A 1990, "The role of maternal schooling and its interaction with public health programs in child health production." Journal of Development Economics vol 32, pp. 169-91. Basinga, P, Paul, J, Binagwaho, A, Soucat, A, Sturdy, J, and Vermeersch, C 2011, "Effect on maternal and child health services in Rwanda of payment to primary health-care providers for performance: an impact evaluation." The Lancet vol 377, no. 9775 pp. 1421-1428. Costello, J, Bernice, P, Adrian, A and Barbara, J 1998, "A family network-based model of access to child mental health services." Research in Community and Mental Health vol 9, pp, 165-190. Kuhlthau, K, Sheila, B, Jeanne, V & Alixandra, K et al 2011 "Evidence for family-centered care for children with special health care needs: a systematic review." Academic pediatrics vol 11, no. 2 pp. 136-143. Mäntymaa, M., K. Puura, I. Luoma, R. Salmelin, H. Davis, J. Tsiantis, V. Ispanovic‐Radojkovic, A. Paradisiotou, and T. Tamminen 2003, "Infant–mother interaction as a predictor of child's chronic health problems." Child: care, health and development 29, no. 3, pp. 181-191. Scott, D 2006, "Research Article 1: Towards a Public Health Model of Child Protection in Australia." Communities, Children and Families Australia 1, no. 1 (2006): 9. Whittaker, J. K., Fernandez DEL VALLE, J., Holmes, L., & Gilligan, R 2015, Therapeutic residential care for children and youth: developing evidence-based international practice. Read More