The Federal Government’s Better Start to Life funding of $94M over three years is having a positive effect in the Orana region. The allocated budget has been used to fund the new Directions: Mothers and Babies Services program which aims to improve the health of expectant mums in the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander community and reduce the infant mortality rate.
This includes reducing smoking rates during pregnancy, decreasing the number of low birth rates and increasing childhood immunisation rates.
Wellington, Walgett and Coonamble are three of the Orana communities where the program is being implemented, bringing the total of New Directions services
to 124, along with 13 sites for the Australian Nurse Family Partnership Program. A further 12 Better Start to Life sites will also be established.
