Health workers with a passion for child health and well-being should attend a Protecting our Mokopuna seminar next month.
The seminar, on November 26, will provide a forum for health workers to share ideas on supporting women to practise safe sleeping, stop smoking in pregnancy, and to choose breastfeeding, Whanganui District Health Board Maori health director Rowena Kui said.
Mrs Kui hoped midwives, doctors, nurses, social workers, community workers and whanau across the district would make their way to Whangaehu Marae where the day would begin with a powhiri at 9.15am.
"We really want to encourage health workers with a passion for child health, well-being, and strengthening leadership in Mokopuna Ora [the well-being of our grandchildren] to attend if possible.
"We know many of our families are struggling to give their children the best start in life so this is a wonderful opportunity to address what needs to be done for the most vulnerable members of our community."
Keynote speakers will be smokefree champion Dame Tariana Turia and Hastings GP Dr David Tipene-Leach.
The seminar is being jointly hosted by the Whanganui District Health Board, the Whanganui Regional Health Network and Whakawhetu, a national sudden infant death prevention programme for Maori.
Whakawhetu provides policy advice, evidence-based information, resources, training and education to the health sector and Maori communities. It also holds an annual Safe Sleep Day in December.
Go to www.whakawhetu.co.nz to register for the seminar. The cost is $25 for health professionals and free for the public.
Those attending are asked to gather at the marae gate for the 9.15am powhiri. Anyone needing transport should contact Desiree Mclean on 06 348 3417.