MaoriSIDS and TAHA support Red Nose Day

MaoriSIDS National Prevention Service and TAHA Well Pacific Mother and Infant Service

Media Release

Thursday 18th November, 2010

MaoriSIDS and TAHA support Red Nose Day in remembrance of its origins in Sudden Infant Death (SIDS) prevention

MaoriSIDS National Prevention Service and TAHA Well Pacific Mother and Infant Service fully support Cure Kids in their aim to raise $1 million on Red Nose Day 19th November for research into life-threatening childhood illnesses.Â
MaoriSIDS and TAHA also acknowledge previous Red Nose Day campaigns that brought much needed attention to the high rate of SIDS (now termed SUDI or Sudden Unexpected Death of an Infant) in New Zealand.

“It is with fond memories that New Zealanders recall the successful Red Nose Day campaign of the 1990s that highlighted the issue of SIDS and ways to prevent it” says Kodi Hapi, MaoriSIDS General Manager.

“Whilst the campaign in the 1990s was successful in helping to reduce the rate of SIDS, approximately sixty babies a year continue to die from SIDS and so the message about prevention is still utterly important, particularly for our Maoriand Pacific infants who have the highest rates in the country”.

Catherine Poutasi, Programme Manager of TAHA applauds the work Cure Kids are doing to bring back red nose day to focus attention on children's health. TAHA supports health professionals who work directly with Pacific mothers and infants to improve their health and wellbeing during pregnancy and the first year of life.

“Red Nose Day on 19th November is an important day to raise funds for child health research that we can then draw on to provide our infants with the best possible chance to a healthy start in life”.

Some of the ways families can protect their babies from SUDI include:
• Keep baby smoke free during pregnancy and after birth
• Sleep baby face up, face clear (on their back)
• Use a firm mattress without pillows
• Use a safe sleep place such as cot, wahakura or bassinette
• Breastfeeding is best

For further information on SUDI prevention and infant health, contact

www.maorisidsorg.nz

www.taha.org.nz
ENDS

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