The New South Wales government has committed funding for Australia's first Aboriginal owned, and midwifery-led, free standing birth centre.
The South Coast Women's Health and Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation (Waminda) Gudjaga Gunyahlamai Birth Centre and Community Hub in Nowra will receive $45.5 million over seven years from the state government to support culturally safe holistic maternity care for Aboriginal women and their families in the South Coast region.
Birthing on Country supports Indigenous women and their babies by providing culturally safe continuity of midwifery care through the pregnancy, from antenatal to birthing to postnatal support.
Waminda's Minga Gudjaga and Birthing on Country Manager, Melanie Briggs, thanked all levels of government for their commitment to Birthing on Country which will "implement and improve the maternal and neonatal outcomes for Aboriginal families on the south coast of NSW".
"The life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people will be significantly improved through care that is culturally safe and respectful through Waminda's Birthing on Country initiative," she said.
"Waminda are honoured to continue our ancestors' dreams for birthing that is woman centred, sacred and honours LORE and culture at its core.
"Waminda's Birthing on Country initiative is a key milestone for increasing the First Nations workforce that will fundamentally enhance generational wealth and sustainability for our people."
Birthing on Country models have shown an improvement in maternal and perinatal outcomes, with women attending more antenatal visits, as well as being less likely to have a premature birth.
Furthermore, they are more likely to exclusively breastfeed on discharge from hospital.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, David Harris, said the funding commitment reflects his government's "commitment to closing the gap for better health outcomes for Aboriginal people".
"It is deeply concerning that Aboriginal women and babies continue to experience health inequalities compared to their non-Aboriginal counterparts," Minister Harris said.
"This support for Waminda gives the opportunity for the best start in life for Aboriginal babies and their families for generations to come."
Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) has worked closely with Waminda to support the implementation of its Birthing on Country initiative, with the Minga Gudjaga Midwifery Practice launched in May this year.
It is the first phase of the initiative where Waminda's privately practising endorsed midwives provide labour and birth care to women at Shoalhaven Memorial District Hospital.
