Closing the Gap.

This program provides basic Obstetric and Gynaecological ultrasound training to midwives and doctors working in remote and aboriginal communities so that they can provide basic ultrasound services to patients who would otherwise have no access to ultrasound services. This enables them to implement clinical management, early intervention to improve perinatal mortality and morbidity in remote South Australian Aboriginal communities.
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This project addresses the lack of ultrasound in antenatal care in aboriginal women in remote communities. Life threatening conditions such as ectopic pregnancies and low lying placenta can be recognized accurately by ultrasound.

Ultrasound is also necessary to accurately determine gestational age of the foetus to plan timing of relocation for delivery, as well as to recognize growth disorders in the baby which can lead to stillbirth or neonatal death if undiagnosed.

Remote communities currently have limited or no access to ultrasound services where women are required to be flown over or drive long distances for a basic prenatal scan. Often, a fly in fly out service is available but most of the nurses, midwives and GPs are not skilled in ultrasound scanning. Upskilling local health providers such as midwives and rural GPs can enable them to diagnose life threatening conditions in the mother and baby and implement appropriate measures in a timely manner.

The Zonta Club of Mt Barker provides funds each year for medical staff to access ultrasound training.