Sometimes it costs just $2.50 to save the life of a newborn baby.
For the past few years, Zonta clubs across the country have been putting together birthing kits for newborns in developing countries.
The simple, but life-changing, kit includes a one-metre square of plastic, gloves, a sterilised scalpel, three pieces of string, five pieces of gauze, and a small amount of soap.
That’s all it takes to reduce the spread of tetanus infections during birth.
Zonta Club of Melton president Dawn Clark says the kits have had a remarkable impact on the number of babies contracting tetanus after being born in unsterile conditions.
She says women were giving birth on dirty floors, and umbilical cords being cut with rusty tin cans or broken bottles.
Students are also getting involved. On Friday, Melton Secondary College VCAL students presented an $800 cheque, and several hundred birthing kits, to Ms Clark.
“I wanted to get school kids involved because they’re our future. If we educate them and teach them about simple things, such as birthing kits, it will make a huge difference.”
For more information about how to get involved, call 0435 682 443.
