Seven new patient monitors to improve care for NT’s sickest kids

A major donation is set to transform pediatric care at Royal Darwin Hospital, with new equipment helping doctors save young lives.

Registered Nurse Dr Mae Aberca with Humpty Dumpty Foundation representatives (Johanna Griggs and Paul Francis) and McArthur River Mining officials, welcoming the vital new patient monitors to Royal Darwin Hospital. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The Humpty Dumpty Foundation, in partnership with McArthur River Mining, has donated seven MX450 Patient Monitors to Royal Darwin Hospital’s pediatric unit, providing critical support for children with serious medical conditions.

The donation is part of the foundation’s ongoing commitment to improving healthcare in the Northern Territory, where pediatric specialists face unique challenges, including high rates of rheumatic heart disease.

Dr Mae Aberca, a registered nurse at Royal Darwin Hospital, said the monitors would make a significant impact.

“It’s very helpful, especially in the Territory, where we have high cases of rheumatic heart disease,” she said.

“These monitors allow doctors to track patients in real time from the nursing station, making it easier to assess their condition and ensure timely intervention.”

Registered Nurse Dr Mae Aberca with Humpty Dumpty Foundation and McArthur River Mining officials, welcoming the vital new patient monitors to Royal Darwin Hospital. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Humpty Dumpty Foundation patron Johanna Griggs said the need for medical equipment across Australia had skyrocketed, with “requests from frontline workers rising 69 per cent last year”.

“In the NT, the need is especially urgent, with three times the infant mortality rate of anywhere else in Australia,” she said.

“Indigenous infants experience a mortality rate four times higher than other states and territories, and I feel there is so much room for scope with what we can do to actually close the gap.”

Humpty Dumpty Foundation Johanna Griggs welcoming the vital new patient monitors to Royal Darwin Hospital. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

McArthur River Mining, which has donated “133 pieces of equipment since 2019”, has played a key role in supporting NT healthcare.

Glencore’s McArthur River Mining General Manager Mark Furlotte said the company was proud to support such an important initiative.

“MRM is very proud of the Humpty Dumpty Foundation’s work to provide vital and often lifesaving equipment for sick and injured children,” he said.

“We hope this equipment will make a real difference to patients and families across the Northern Territory, as well as staff at Royal Darwin Hospital.”

Humpty Dumpty Foundation Johanna Griggs and Paul Francis welcoming the vital new patient monitors to Royal Darwin Hospital. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Humpty Dumpty Foundation founder and executive director Paul Francis said community support was essential.

“We can’t leave it to the government alone,” he said.

“Most state governments are underfunded, and if we don’t step up, these lifesaving donations simply won’t happen.”

The foundation will continue its fundraising efforts with the Great Humpty Ball Darwin on Friday, June 13, for its first-ever event under the stars.

“People come along for a cracking good time and they open their hearts and their wallets because of the stories they hear on the night,” Ms Griggs said.

“Everyone leaves knowing the good they are doing will have a flow on effect for a long time to come.”

Originally published as Seven new patient monitors to improve care for NT’s sickest kids