The Jaghu Maternal and Infant Program team is making it easier for our First Nations community to register their child’s birth and access vital support.
Its newest service supports First Nations families through the birth registration process.
The service started this year for families who welcomed a baby through Jaghu. It has now been extended to the wider community with the launch of the First Nations Birth Registration Clinic. The clinic is held twice a month by the Jaghu team at Bremer Medical Centre.
Jaghu Unit Manager Nicole Moller said birth registration was a significant issue in the community.
“Data indicates that there are 115 First Nations babies and children under six in the Ipswich area who remain unregistered. This presents an opportunity for us to improve access to this essential service and reduce barriers for First Nations families,” Ms Moller said.
"Without a registered birth, children cannot enrol in school, obtain other government documents later in life or open a bank account.”
Birth certificates are needed to apply for official documents, such as a passport and driver’s licence, and to be eligible for Medicare and health and education services. A birth certificate is also required for families to access parental subsidies.
Ms Moller, a Bundjalung woman, said two of Jaghu’s Aboriginal health workers were qualified birth registration champions, which enabled them to provide a culturally safe and accessible service to families.
Jaghu worked with Uncle David Wone, a community engagement officer with the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, to ensure the champions were authorised to access the registry portal and issue birth certificates.
“The birth registration service has been a great success for our Jaghu families. We are proud to now offer this service to the wider community,” Ms Moller said.
Champions accompany Jaghu midwives on home visits to families with a new baby to help fill out the registration form. If they accompany the visit, the birth certificate is free for the family.
"By supporting families to register births, we can help reduce barriers to these services while strengthening identity, connection and inclusion from the earliest stages of life.”
Further information:
What: First Nations Birth Registration Clinic
When: 9am to 2pm, first and third Friday of the month
Where: Bremer Medical Centre, building F, 11 Salisbury Rd, Ipswich.