There are a number of aspects of women’s health over the lifecycle that must be addressed in a comprehensive approach and it is the aim of this program to deliver the education, support, screening options, medical care and follow up required in each of these areas. Continuing and improving the support and education for staff involved in delivering these services in the remote health clinics is also a key objective of the Program.

Four of the key areas of activity in this Program are:
  1. Young girls health education
  2. Reproductive health
  3. Cervical and breast screening
  4. Staff support and ongoing education

Reproductive health
One of the key messages that the Program has attempted to deliver to young women is to make pregnancy a conscious decision. To women wanting to have children the benefits of birth spacing is discussed.

Antenatal care and birth
Nganampa Health Council aims to employ midwives in all major clinics but due to staffing pressures, this is difficult. To address this the program employs two midwives who regularly travel to the APY lands to support the delivery  of antenatal care in the clinics. We also employ a part time midwife in our Alice Springs office who provides support to antenates when they are in Alice Springs.

Breast and Cervical Screening
The Breast Screen South Australia mobile unit is utilised to provide biannual Breast Screening. Women can travel as far as 500 kilometres one way to participate in the screen.

For a successful cervical screening program, ongoing promotion, education, skilled staff and robust health information systems are all required. Our overall cervical screening rates are comparable to the national average.

Young girls health education
The delivery of health education to school age girls occurs in a range of ways and at different venues. The Health Council uses age and culturally appropriate resources for education content and continuity.

Obstetrician and Gynaecology visits

Through funding from the Rural Doctor's Workforce Agency, this programs support obstetrician and gynaecology visits to the APY Lands.