'Women and Children Last': Establishing maternal child health services in Papua New Guinea

At this fellowship talk, 2022 National Library of Australia Fellow Dr Susan Hemer will present research findings on the establishment and practices of maternal child health services in Papua New Guinea after World War II.

Material including original papers, diaries and reports written by public health workers and missionary doctors and nurses, particularly from the period 1946 to 1975, as well as secondary compilations of data and interviews with key public health figures from the period have been analysed by Dr Hemer to document a chronology of events. Research has also highlighted the work of key individuals, the spread of the services and any gaps throughout the country, shifts in policy, and debates about service provision.

The aim of Dr Hemer's project is to understand the historical underpinnings of the contemporary health status of women in Papua New Guinea.

Entry is free to this event but bookings are essential.

For those unable to make it to Canberra for the event, it will be livestreamed online via the Library's facebook page. No bookings are required to watch the online stream.

Dr Susan Hemer is a 2022 National Library of Australia Fellow, supported by Stokes family.