17 March 2008

Taree Lions Club has donated the proceeds of their Christmas Cubby House Raffle to the Manning Hospital Maternity Unit to support them in efforts to have the most up-to-date equipment to treat infants with early health problems.

The $6,152 donated, which included some additional funds from Lions Australia, was used to purchase replacement equipment for jaundiced babies and newborns who have difficulty establishing breathing.

Manning Hospital’s Maternity Nurse Unit Manager Pam Buchanan said they have been fortunate to have received support from the Lions Club for the past few years.

"The new Bililamp will be used to treat jaundice in the newborn. The baby is placed in a humidicrib naked and nursed under the lamp. The ultraviolet rays from the lamp help break down bilirubin in the babies bloodstream which cause causes the yellow colour of jaundiced babies.

"The neopuff is the second one they have donated to the Maternity Unit and it is used if a baby has difficulty establishing respirations at birth. With infant lungs, it is very important to provide tiny puffs of air to support their independent breathing," she said.

Ms Buchanan wishes to thank the Lions Club for their efforts and continuing support of the maternity unit.

"It is wonderful to have a community who works with us to make our service one which we can all be proud of," she said.

Contact: Kay Cope

Phone: 6776 9817