After two successful years of the Starfish project, presented by the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Nursing, some 50 professionals and workers in the healthcare sector recently attended a function in Potchefstroom to reflect on the year that has been, and to share the successes of the project.
Established in collaboration with the Provincial Department of Health in January 2018, the main goal of the project is to train and inspire registered nurses and healthcare workers at clinics and hospitals in North West’s Dr Kenneth Kaunda District to pass on research-based information about children’s health to the parents or guardians of young children.
“Children under the age of five are very vulnerable, and through our project we want to lower their mortality and morbidity rates – meaning the death and illness rate,” says Prof Welma Lubbe, the project coordinator.
The project is named after the legend about a young boy who was standing on a beach covered in starfish, throwing some of them back into the water. Told that saving a few would make no difference, he picked up one starfish and said: “To this one, it will make a difference.”
During the function participants were asked to share their experiences and stories of how they used their training to make a difference in the lives of others.
According to Prof Lubbe, the project also aims to empower healthcare professionals and workers by improving staff confidence and knowledge in clinics and hospitals.
“Healthcare workers receive the latest evidence on foetal development, an assessment of the neonate (baby) after birth, childhood illnesses, nutrition, emergency child care and normal development. They are also taught how to take care of the mother after birth.”
She adds that some of the main causes of infant mortality and morbidity are factors relating to malnutrition and poor hygiene.
“These can easily be prevented if people are equipped with the necessary knowledge. This project aims to put the heart back in healthcare, and the passion that was re-instilled in the participants is evident in every Starfish thrower,” Prof Lubbe says.
The function was concluded with an awards ceremony at which all participants were saluted for their hard work and sacrifices to make a difference in the quality of life of our children in South Africa.
To see more about what the Starfish project is all about, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECP_yMWloco
The Starfish team and coordinators consist of Prof Alida Herbst, Petro Swanepoel, Prof Welma Lubbe, Dr Gerhard Rabie, Tasha Kutzner, Dr Suegnet Scholtz, Dr Elsabe Bornman, Miemie van Jaarsveld and Hanlie Degenaar.
