Hands on for Health: United Nations World Health Day Birthing Kit Assembly Night

United Nations Association of Australia Young Professionals: Birthing Kit Assembly Night

Join us In-Person or Online

Whether you are on campus or joining from home, you can be part of this impactful night. If you cannot attend in person, the event will be live-streamed, and you can join us via Zoom to participate in the discussions.

Note: As a thank you for your contribution, all in-person volunteers will receive an official UN certificate acknowledging their hands-on help with this vital global health initiative.

What is Happening?

During this event, volunteers will work in streamlined assembly stations to pack sterile birthing kits. Each compact kit contains six critical components: a plastic sheet, soap, gloves, sterile gauze, umbilical ties, and a sterilised scalpel blade. You will be guided through the specific folding and packing processes required to ensure these medical supplies remain hygienic and transportable for international distribution.

We are also honoured to host two guest speakers during the evening:

• The First Speaker will provide an in-depth look at the current state of maternal health, discussing the clinical challenges and systemic barriers women face in underserved regions.

• The Second Speaker will focus on our collective impact, exploring how we have the power to make a tangible difference as the next generation of young professionals and leaders.

Why This Issue Matters

Every day, hundreds of women and newborns lose their lives to preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. In many regions, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Pacific, women undergo labour in unsanitary conditions without access to basic medical facilities. In places like Ethiopia, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, geographical barriers or humanitarian crises mean that sterile supplies are often entirely unavailable. This leaves mothers and infants highly vulnerable to life-threatening infections, such as maternal and neonatal tetanus.

Why We Are Assembling Kits

These simple, low-cost kits are powerful tools for medical intervention. They are specifically designed to facilitate the World Health Organisation’s "Six Cleans" of childbirth: clean hands, a clean delivery surface, clean cord ties, a clean cloth for drying, and a clean blade to cut the cord. By taking the time to pack these kits, we are directly supplying birth attendants with the fundamental resources required to create a safe, sanitary environment. The kits we assemble on the night will translate directly into safer deliveries and saved lives.

Location & Access

Venue: Wallace Wurth Building (C27), Cnr High St & Botany St.

• Public Transport: Take the L3 Light Rail to the UNSW High Street stop (directly outside) or any bus to Gate 9 (High St).

• Parking: Paid parking is available at Botany St Parking Station (Gate 11), Barker St Parking Station (Gate 13), or the Prince of Wales Hospital (across High St). On-campus parking is managed via the CellOPark app.

What to Wear: Please wear comfortable, casual clothing with short sleeves (or sleeves that can be rolled up). Avoid dangling jewellery or loose accessories to help maintain a sterile assembly environment.

Join us afterwards at the Regent Hotel.