Six Photos That Will Change Your Perspective On International Development

Striking images from Papua New Guinea that show that development works. #StopTheMyth

The First Embrace

Sarah Wiles

Maternal mortality rates in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are the second highest in the world. Skin to skin contact is one component of the early essential newborn care intervention that the World Health Organisation estimates could save 50,000 newborn lives per year in the Western Pacific region*. Another study from India shows a reduction of 22% of neonatal deaths by implementing skin to skin and encouraging early breastfeeding at birth. Skin to skin contact between mother and baby regulates temperature, stabilises breathing and heart rate and allows for easy access to the breast, thereby helping to establish breastfeeding and preventing hypoglycaemia. This technique is simple, free and is being encouraged by midwives and health professionals.

*WHO 2014, Action plan for healthy newborn infants in the Western Pacific Region, 2014-2020

Shaping Teaching for Future Generations

Sarah Wiles

In PNG it was identified that there were extremely poor literacy rates in elementary and primary schools. Between 2003 and 2008 student’s achievement levels showed no improvement. Observations revealed that among a range of weaknesses there was little direct teaching, limited use of engaging strategies and that teachers had limited comprehension of phonics. Voluntary Services Overseas' Language Support Programme was set up to improve the skills and knowledge of language lecturers and trainee teachers. The project has facilitated the creation of new language courses in collaboration with PNG language lecturers, training materials for reading, writing, speaking and listening (including videos and audio resources) and has provided in service and improved processes within teacher training institutions.

Saving Mother's Lives

Sarah Wiles

Modern contraception is viewed as the best, most cost effective strategy to reduce maternal mortality globally. There is a huge unmet need for family planning services in PNG for a variety of reasons, including accessibility, availability, cultural and religious beliefs, fear and misinformation. It is believed that the promotion of family planning in countries with a high birth rate could reduce poverty and hunger substantially and prevent 32% of maternal deaths and 10% of child deaths across the world. It also has the potential to empower women, increase education and literacy levels and contribute to long term environmental sustainability*.

The advantages of the implant is that it is maintenance free, long lasting, once it is in there is nothing the woman has to do or remember and it is suitable for nearly all women (breastfeeding, any age, children or not). It is very effective in preventing pregnancy and does not interfere with sex so is a good solution. Marie Stopes is just one development organisation offering implants and other family planning services in developing countries. In the Madang province alone they see 150-200 patients each week.

*Cleland, J et al, Family planning: the unfinished agenda, Lancet, 2006

Making the Inaccessible Accessible

Catherine Bedford

In a country as remote as PNG, access to services is impacted greatly because of people being in isolated, disconnected communities across great distance and rugged terrain. Roads bring medical supplies, teaching resources, water aids, access to health facilities and also business, trade and opportunities. Medecins Sans Frontieres are currently delivering TB medications by unmanned aerial vehicles to remote villages, this is an amazingly creative approach but passable roads to remote areas makes this redundant and give a wealth of opportunity and the ability to access essential services.

Searching for a Cure

Sarah Wiles

Trying to find a cure for malaria is an ongoing challenge. The life cycle of a mosquito is so short that they genetically modify, meaning scientists always need to be looking for the next appropriate drug to treat the disease. Malaria is endemic in every PNG province, with an average of 1.5-1.8 million suspected cases of malaria seen at health care facilities annually. The Institute of Medical Research is doing incredible work diagnosing, treating and investigating malaria cases. 70-80 patients per week are given finger prick tests in Madang alone. Bed net distribution has also had a very positive impact on decreasing malaria transmission. Through their research, a drug that can replace Mala-1 was identified which can be taken just with water. This is a fantastic breakthrough in a resource poor setting where patients don't want to eat.

Water is Life

Sarah Wiles

Safe water, improved hygiene and sanitation saves lives. 85% of the population live in hard to reach, remote settings in PNG. 4.3 million people, over half the population, don't have access to safe water. Having a water tank in remote villages means that people can capture rain water which is safer as it has fewer impurities. WaterAid is just one organisation that works with key partners to offer low cost, technological solutions to clean water and sanitation.