Founder, The Hands of Rescue, obstetrics and gynaecology specialist
Few people embark on mid-life career changes as dramatic and inspiring as Dr Barry Kirby AO.
Barry was a 40-year-old carpenter working in Papua New Guinea (PNG) when he witnessed the devastating preventable death of a woman who was outcast from her village.
He decided there and then that PNG needed more doctors than carpenters; that he needed to study medicine; and return as a rural doctor in PNG. It took 2 degree’s and 12 years and he kept his word.
Mothers having difficulty in childbirth is a challenge for rural doctor in PNG so Barry undertook a diploma in obstetrics and gynecology in order to be better equipped to deal with obstetric emergencies. He investigated over 30 past maternal deaths to see if they could have been prevented.
The knowledge and insight gained from this study was a watershed moment. He would form The Hands of Rescue (THOR) organisation to address the needs of rural women giving birth in remote health centres and prevent maternal deaths.
Barry’s approach to reducing maternal mortality is holistic. His safe motherhood program encompasses training staff in obstetric emergencies, encouraging mothers to give birth in their health centre through gifting of a birthing bundle, building waiting houses, and providing a flying doctor service for emergencies.
To address the poor treatment of women by men generally in PNG society Barry engaged a film director to produce a series of PNG dramas called It Takes A Village. ITAV aims to educate men on women’s needs during pregnancy, create new male role models and promote a shift away from women unfriendly cultural practices.