A groundbreaking study led by Dr. Keeth Mayakaduwage, an esteemed AMA member, has revealed a potential breakthrough in preventing stillbirths. The research, published in February 2026, focused on Victoria's Safer Baby Bundle, a comprehensive set of clinical guidelines and educational resources designed to tackle the tragedy of stillbirth.
But here's where it gets controversial: while the program showed promising results, with a reduction in stillbirths and overall perinatal mortality, the benefits were not evenly distributed across all population groups.
Dr. Mayakaduwage, along with his colleague Associate Professor Miranda Davies-Tuck, evaluated the program's impact through three linked studies published in The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Their research examined whether the Safer Baby Bundle effectively reduced stillbirths and perinatal deaths, changed the causes of these deaths, and ensured equitable benefits for different population groups.
Dr. Mayakaduwage, a renowned recipient of the AMA's Women's Health Award for his significant contributions to stillbirth prevention and antenatal care, emphasized the critical evidence provided by the study to guide national implementation. He highlighted the program's success in reducing stillbirths and perinatal mortality without increasing unintended harms such as caesarean sections or preterm births.
However, the study also revealed a concerning trend: the benefits were not experienced equitably across all population groups. Several migrant groups showed no improvement, and perinatal mortality increased among Indigenous women during the study period.
In response, the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth has adapted the Safer Baby Bundle for Indigenous women and migrant and refugee communities in Australia. Dr. Mayakaduwage noted that the evaluation was conducted before these culturally adapted bundles were rolled out, and ongoing evaluations will be crucial to determine their effectiveness and impact on equity.
He acknowledged the leadership of Safer Care Victoria and the Consultative Council on Obstetric and Paediatric Mortality and Morbidity in implementing the Safer Baby Bundle across Victoria. The bundle, developed by the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth, is an integral part of the National Stillbirth Action and Implementation Plan.
This research highlights the complex nature of healthcare interventions and the need for ongoing evaluation and adaptation to ensure equitable outcomes for all. It raises important questions: How can we ensure that healthcare programs benefit all population groups equally? What further steps can be taken to address the disparities revealed by this study? We invite you to share your thoughts and insights in the comments below.
