A chance walk during a 1998 holiday in Bali by renowned Adelaide obstetrician Associate Professor John Svigos AM led to a life-saving partnership, according to The Advertiser. Visiting Denpasar’s Sanglah Hospital (now Prof Ngoerah Hospital), he was deeply moved by the kindness of staff and recognised opportunities for improvement in maternal care.
At the time, Bali’s maternal mortality rate was 170 deaths per 100,000 births. Determined to help, Dr Svigos began annual visits with volunteer teams of doctors, midwives, and nurses to share expertise and promote multidisciplinary care.
By 2010, the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) in Adelaide formed an official partnership with Sanglah. Key members include Dr Anu Raju, Dr Sarah Cash, and midwife Jenni Magor, with many others, such as Dr Rosalie Grivell, contributing over the years. Adelaide University and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists also support the initiative.
“This collaboration has shown a significant improvement of maternal mortality to 70 per 100,000 live births,” said Dr Svigos. In comparison, Australia’s rate in 2022 was 4.8 per 100,000.
Dr Svigos emphasises the two-way nature of the program: “It teaches us about the necessity of having the basics of health, clean water, good nutrition, all those basic things we take for granted.”
A new women’s health facility, supported by WCH and opened by former President Joko Widodo in 2023, stands as a testament to the program’s impact.
His daughter Anna Dimond continues the legacy. In memory of her sister Eran, who died in 2007, the Eran Svigos Medical Clinic now serves hundreds of children in need.
Source: theadvertiser.com.au
