New Zealand has announced a significant investment of NZD 5.6 million aimed at improving sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health services throughout the Pacific region. This funding supports the “Advancing Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Adolescent Health for Women, Adolescents and Young People in the Pacific” initiative, which was officially launched at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Fiji.
At the launch, Bidisha Pillai, Director and Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for Pacific Island Countries, underscored the critical importance of this initiative given the significant healthcare gaps and accessibility issues within the region. She emphasized the urgency of accelerating efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the target aimed at reducing maternal mortality to 70 per 100,000 live births.
Pillai also detailed the challenges faced by health systems in the Pacific, which include a shortage of trained healthcare personnel, inadequate infrastructure, and geographical barriers that complicate access to care for remote communities. Disturbingly, less than 4% of health facilities in the region offer services for gender-based violence, and only a meager 6% provide youth-friendly services, despite the fact that a substantial portion of the population is under the age of 35. In Fiji, alarming statistics show that two out of three women report experiencing intimate partner violence, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced reproductive and gender-based health services.
The initiative is designed to address critical issues such as early and unintended pregnancies, the training of healthcare workers, and the rising rates of HIV infections in Fiji. An initial allocation of NZD 2.6 million will fund the first year’s efforts, with a strong emphasis on collaboration between the health ministries of participating Pacific nations to ensure alignment with national development strategies.
This project complements ongoing initiatives in the region aimed at promoting sexual and reproductive health, including the recent launch of Fiji’s National Family Planning Policy 2025-2030. This policy seeks to improve health outcomes by broadening access to pertinent education and resources, empowering women and youth, and ultimately contributing to a more resilient society.
The renewed commitment from governments, UN agencies, and community organizations brings hope for the advancement of health services in the Pacific. This concerted effort to confront pressing health challenges represents a pivotal step toward fostering a healthier future for all, particularly for women and young people in the region.