“Making a difference: The transformation from builder to obstetrician”

Doctor Barry Kirby is a carpenter by trade. He started his medical degree at the age of 40 after spending 5 years in a remote community in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, working as a project manager building schools and other civil works.

In 2000 he graduated from The School of Medicine, University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), it took him 12 years to attain his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree (MBBS).

During this time he self-funded a study into the alarming maternal mortality in Milne Bay and Papua New Guinea, his research led him to forming the foundation The Hands Of Rescue which is finding innovative ways to tackle this problem.

Dr Barry lives and works in Milne Bay Province as a rural General Practitioner and runs the Hands of Rescue Foundation together with his partner. They travel to remote corners of the province teaching the management of obstetrics emergencies and engaging in other activities that contribute to a reduction in the number of mothers dying during child birth.