More than 70 babies and toddlers aged 10 weeks to five years received Paunu health checks at the various clinics across the island last month.

Seventy-four (74) children underwent checkups, which included measurements of weight and length, as well as physical activity, oral health and feeding patterns.

Cook Islands Child Welfare Association (CICWA) president Rose Kairua says Paunu clinics play a key role in the community by offering free and confidential health checks for children.

The clinics also allow caregivers to raise concerns with a qualified and registered nurse/midwife in a private space.

“Paunu helps parents and caregivers to measure how their child is tracking against developmental milestones and identify early any health issues their child may have,” said Kairua.

The Child Welfare Association evening Paunu sessions, which started in October, were introduced to target working mothers.

These clinics have seen a significant increase in the number of babies attending the wellbeing checkups.

Kairua said that the number of babies and caregivers at each event varied widely, depending on the clinic’s location, the caregiver’s schedule, and other community events occurring simultaneously.

“Overall, though, we see awareness and attendance at evening Paunu increasing, because it’s easier for parents to attend outside work hours,” she said.

The Paunu sessions return this month with sessions this morning from 9am – 11am at the following clinics: Matavera Clinic, Tikioki Clinic, Akaoa Clinic, Rangiura Clinic, and Takuvaine Central Clinic.

The final evening Paunu sessions for this year will be held next week at the Matavera Clinic on Wednesday, December 11, and at the Avatiu Clinic on Wednesday, December 18.