The Rotary Club of Prospect was recently treated to an inspiring presentation by Professor John Svigos AM, an eminent Adelaide Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, at our meeting on July 30th. Rotarians and partners enjoyed a wonderful evening as Professor Svigos shared the deeply moving story behind the “Bali Beckons Me & You” initiative.
Professor Svigos recounted how a chance walk during a holiday in Bali in 1998 led to a life-saving partnership. After visiting Denpasar’s Sanglah Hospital, he was moved by the kindness of the staff but recognised a critical need to improve maternal care. At the time, Bali’s maternal mortality rate was a staggering 170 deaths per 100,000 births.
Determined to make a difference, Professor Svigos began organising annual visits with volunteer teams of doctors, nurses, and midwives to share their expertise. This effort grew, and by 2010, an official partnership was formed between Adelaide’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH) and Sanglah Hospital. The collaboration is also supported by Adelaide University and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
The results of this sustained, multidisciplinary approach have been profound. Professor Svigos reported that the collaboration has helped reduce the maternal mortality rate from 170 to 70 per 100,000 live births. He also emphasised the two-way nature of the program, noting, “It teaches us about the necessity of having the basics of health, clean water, good nutrition, all those basic things we take for granted”.
The legacy of this work continues to grow. A new women’s health facility, supported by the WCH, was opened in 2023, and his daughter Anna Dimond continues the family’s impact through the Eran Svigos Medical Clinic, serving hundreds of children in need. It was a powerful reminder of how one person’s vision can inspire a movement and create lasting change.
