New BIRTH programme giving to new mothers, babies
Published:Wednesday | June 5, 2024 | 12:08 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
WOMEN WHO attend the Black River Hospital in St Elizabeth to give birth can look forward to a pleasant surprise of gifts for their newborns on the gift-givers’ birthdays, in a reversal of normal gift-giving expectations, through the New BIRTH initiative which aims to benefit new mothers.
New BIRTH, short for New Beginning in Restoring Trust and Hope, is the brainchild of Dorcia Brown-Lyle, a nurse employed at the Black River Hospital, who conceptualised the programme during the COVID-19 pandemic and later formally launched it in 2022.
“The essence of the programme is that on your birthday, you give a gift to a baby who was born on your birthday at the Black River Hospital. So far, about 60 babies have gotten gifts from persons celebrating their birthday on those dates,” Brown-Lyle told The Gleaner.
“This initiative came about one day during the pandemic. As my birthday was approaching, a thought came to me about how best I could celebrate my birthday. I thought to myself, ‘Instead of expecting something for myself, I’m going to give,’” Brown-Lyle explained. “The thought lingered for quite a while, but because of the pandemic restrictions, it was not done. However, after the pandemic, sometime in 2022, I decided that I was going to do something about it because it was impressing on me so much.”
After securing the blessing of the Black River Hospital’s management to proceed with her brainchild programme, Brown-Lyle launched the New BIRTH initiative with support from Michael Bent, chief executive officer of the Southern Regional Health Authority.
“I went to my chief executive officer at Black River Hospital and I spoke to her about the initiative, because, working in a government institution, you need the permission of your heads of department. I got the go-ahead, and the initiative was launched in 2022. The regional director, Mr Bent, was in attendance. He loves the initiative and actually has been a donor,” Brown-Lyle said.
‘Should be replicated’
Speaking with The Gleaner about New BIRTH, Bent lauded the initiative as a programme that needs to be broadened on a national scope.
“I like it, I endorse it, and I am one of the donors to the programme, because when my birthday comes, I contribute. It is not a matter of just giving a physical package, but also, as the name suggests, it allows a connection between the parent and the hospital and also the child, to ensure there is follow-up so persons can conform to post-delivery (procedures), including making sure vaccinations are done,” said Bent. “There is a connection between the healthcare provider and the mother and the child. It is something that I endorse, and I think it should be replicated. It is a very good initiative by Nurse Brown-Lyle.”
Diana Brown-Miller, chief executive officer at the Black River Hospital and a participant in New BIRTH, recounted how she developed a bond with a new mother to whom she had previously given a gift under the initiative.
“I think it is a very good idea and a good initiative, and it is not just that you want to do it at birth, but we want to be there for that child, providing support along the way. Unfortunately for me, last year I was not able to participate because I was out on sick leave. However, the mother of the child remembered me and called to remind me that it was the child’s birthday ... I was very impressed with that,” said Brown-Miller. “I am just hoping that the programme will be sustained, and that more staff will come on board to really lend that support to the children, especially in these times.”
Interestingly, the initiative is in line with the objective of the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Compassionate Care Programme, which was launched in 2018 as a customer care response designed to foster a patient-centred approach to the provision of care, with the aim of reinforcing customer service at all levels of the public health experience.
Since its launch, New BIRTH has provided $300,000 in gifts to 60 babies and their mothers, with the gifts ranging from clothing and diapers to educational toys and books. Donors are encouraged to give according to their level of inspiration as opposed to being asked for set or specific sums, and some of the gifts are even provided through donations from overseas.
The only stipulations for the programme are that donors are not permitted to provide cash gifts for the mothers, or to provide materials such as bottles, pacifiers, or other items that would prove detrimental to the Black River Hospital’s baby-friendly hospital initiative.
Very helpful
Clover Blake Bell, one of the mothers who has benefited from New BIRTH, praised the programme as a supportive arm for mothers who may not be able on their own to afford the donations that are provided for their babies.
“It was quite a surprise, actually, but I found the gesture to be very helpful because it cuts a lot of costs for me. It had necessities that I needed for my baby, and it was very helpful. I think it has a fun side to it, and I like the little excitement that comes with it,” said Blake Bell.
“In a sense, I would say it creates a little bond, like a godparent kind of relationship, so the mother and the sender would somehow have a little relationship, and they would check up on the child. If the relationship is maintained, it is quite beneficial to the child for future reference,” Blake Bell added.
Meanwhile, Brown-Lyle stressed that New BIRTH is not just about providing needed items for mothers and their babies, but also about laying an educational foundation for the children’s future mental development.
“I normally try to get educational toys for the babies, because early stimulation is very important. If you start to teach them from an early age, get building blocks since they are good enough for the child, and when the child reaches six months old and can use the building blocks, that is a win-win for society. Some of the packages will have books in there as well,” said Brown-Lyle.
“My ultimate dream is a mentorship portion to the programme where you get to follow up with this baby and you are able to assist this baby in the future, maybe with an educational fund, or in the end you will be able to send the baby through high school. I’m thinking long term, how this can positively impact our island, and I believe that with all hands on deck, this can positively impact our island,” Brown-Lyle added. “There are so many wrong things happening now, but as Governor General Sir Patrick Allen said, there’s nothing wrong with Jamaica that cannot be fixed with what is right with Jamaica.”