CHILDREN in rural and remote areas will have better access to life-saving medical equipment.
The Federal Government is providing $100,000 to The Humpty Dumpty Foundation in 2021-22 to support its work to improve the care of children in rural and remote Australia by providing life-saving medical equipment specifically requested by nearly 500 hospitals and health services across Australia.
Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mr Greg Hunt, said the funding will help save and improve children’s lives.
“The health and wellbeing of our children and young people is a priority of our Government,” Mr Hunt said.
“This funding will positively impact the health of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander and non-Indigenous children in rural and remote areas of Australia by increasing their access to fit-for-purpose paediatric medical equipment,” Mr Hunt added.
In May 2020, a mother from Darwin in the Northern Territory (NT) gave birth to twin boys.
Francis was born with a hole in his heart and needed a life-saving operation in Melbourne, over 3700kms away.
Due to the long distance, there was no guarantee that Francis would get to Melbourne in time.
“Our prayers were answered when the Humpty Dumpty Transport Incubator rolled into his hospital room,” Francis’ mother said.
“Now that The Humpty Dumpty Foundation has provided the people of the NT with a Transport Incubator, families with babies like Francis, don’t have to wait and see if life-saving transport will make it in time.
Thanks to the Humpty Dumpty Transport Incubator, Francis got to Melbourne safely.
“We held our breaths as our brave little boy had open-heart surgery at 22 days old.
“Francis did not just survive, he thrived!
“All the water in the ocean and all the stars in the sky are less than all my thank yous,” Francis’ mother added.
The Humpty Dumpty Foundation’s founder and chairman, Mr Paul Francis, said that this funding is wonderful recognition by the Federal Government of the foundation’s paediatric work in both rural and remote parts of Australia.
“We greatly appreciate this support and welcome the positive impact it will have on the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous children.
“This is truly an example of us working together with the Government and community to make sure that, no matter where you live, you have the opportunity for the best possible health outcomes,” Mr Francis said.
Federal Minister for Regional Health, Dr David Gillespie, said the Government was committed to addressing the rising burden of chronic disease and to improving public health no matter where people live or their circumstances.
“Its mission is to raise funds to provide essential and life-saving equipment and often life-saving equipment for hospitals in every corner of Australia,” Dr Gillespie said.
“I’m proud to be part of a government supporting them in this endeavour.”
The Humpty Dumpty Foundation has provided medical equipment to paediatric wards, neonatal units, maternity and emergency departments at more than 440 hospitals and health services across Australia for the last 30 years.
Ryan Fritz
Ryan Fritz started The Advocate in 2014 to provide not-for-profits and charities another media platform to tell their worthwhile hard news stories and opinion pieces effortlessly. In 2020, Ryan formed a team of volunteer journalists to help spread even more high-quality stories from the third sector. He also has over 10 years experience as a media and communications professional for not-for-profits and charities and currently works at Redkite, a childhood cancer charity.
