During a visit to Galiwin’ku (Elcho Island) in Arnhem Land recently, Bayer ANZ Managing Director Manoj Saxena confirmed Bayer’s financial support for Australian Red Cross’s Baby Hub program.
Baby Hub is a Yolngu-led maternal and child health initiative, set up as a partnership between Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation and Australian Red Cross, which is quietly transforming care in one of Australia’s most remote communities.
Bayer has supported the program for the past three years with annual grants of $100,000 and Mr Saxena has confirmed that support will continue for another year – bringing Bayer’s total commitment to over $400,000 across four years.
The Hub supports 10 to 15 mothers a week and is the only service of its kind nationally. With limited access to hospitals (a flight away) and some of the highest preterm birth rates in the country, Baby Hub provides essential support for expecting mothers, babies, and families – run by local women, in language and on Country.
With a renewed partnership with Bayer, the Hub is now able to support four Red Cross funded staff, to help build local workforce capacity and expand culturally safe care in one of the NT’s most remote communities.
“The focus of the Bayer partnership is to build capacity in the local community,” Mr Saxena said.
“Seven local Yolngu women currently staff the Hub – some with Cert III and Diploma qualifications in Early Childhood, and others are supported through on-the-job mentoring and weekly training,” he said.
“By developing these skills in the community we hope Baby Hub becomes sustainable in the long term.
“The partnership directly supports Yolngu women into skilled, community health roles, reinforcing a model of First Nations-led, place-based care,” Mr Saxena said.
Bridget Woods, Australian Red Cross Team Leader at Baby Hub said: “We’re proud to walk alongside the First Nations women delivering this vital work in Galiwin’ku.
“With Bayer’s support Baby Hub is not only improving maternal and child health, it’s strengthening community, culture and capacity for generations to come,” Ms Woods said.
Baby Hub supports the first 1,000 days of a child’s life – a critical window for long-term health and development. It blends Yolngu and Western knowledge systems, providing care and education for young mothers, families, and carers.
About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. In line with its mission, “Health for all, Hunger for none,” the company’s products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population.
Bayer has had a presence in Australia and New Zealand since 1897 and 1981 respectively and has a long-term commitment to the health and nutrition of all Australians and New Zealanders. Locally, Bayer employs around 600 people across Australia and New Zealand and is dedicated to servicing the needs of rural and remote communities. Bayer embraces and encourages its employees’ unique identities and advances a culture of inclusion and diversity.
For further information visit www.bayer.com.au or www.bayer.co.nz
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Media Contacts
Fleur Wilkins, Head of Communications, Bayer ANZ
fleur.wilkins@bayer.com
+61 (0) 427 065 697
Tim Powell, Partner, Communications – SEC Newgate
Tim.Powell@secnewgate.com.au
+61 (0) 411 725 595