Building on the foundation of Burnet’s 'Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies' program, the 'Grow strong, grow healthy' (GROW) initiative is tackling the crisis of child stunting in Papua New Guinea.
Since 2014, Burnet’s Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies research program has been providing valuable insights into the conditions that contribute to Papua New Guinea’s high rates of maternal and infant mortality, and the barriers that prevent local people from accessing the health care they need.
It has also provided the evidence base for a range of new initiatives – including Grow Strong, Grow Healthy, a project that focusses on reducing rates of ‘child growth failure’, or ‘stunting’.
Childhood stunting affects the physical and cognitive development of children, causing long-term impacts on their health, and on their ability to learn and thrive. It is also a major risk factor for child mortality. The project, known locally as GROW, is run by Burnet’s Kokopo office in the East New Britain province where stunting affects almost half of all children under five.
Since GROW was launched in 2022, the project team has established a Nutrition Advisory Committee, delivered workshops for health workers, and held highly engaging and interactive discussion groups for parents and carers.
Discussion groups typically attract around 20 parents, including a handful of fathers, but the team had a breakthrough in May with a session that attracted no less than ten local dads, there to learn more about how to support their pregnant partners and foster the healthy development of their babies.
“Some of the feedback from fathers mentioned supporting the mothers with cooking preparation such as fetching water and chopping firewood. We are so excited to see dads actively thinking of ways to be engaged in what is traditionally seen as ‘women’s work", reported the team.
Thanks to the ongoing commitment of many valued philanthropic donors and our Research Action Partners, GROW will continue to expand its activities in the months ahead. Thank you!
