New Zealand has pledged NZD 5.6 million to enhance sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health services across the Pacific. This funding backs the “Advancing Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Adolescent Health for Women, Adolescents and Young People in the Pacific” project, which was launched at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Fiji.
During the launch, Bidisha Pillai, Director and Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for Pacific Island Countries, emphasized the need for this initiative due to the considerable gaps in health care quality and accessibility across the region. She noted the urgent necessity to accelerate efforts to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly the target of reducing the maternal mortality ratio to 70 per 100,000 live births.
Pillai highlighted the various challenges faced by Pacific health systems, including shortages of trained personnel, inadequate infrastructure, and geographical obstacles that hinder service delivery to remote communities. Alarmingly, less than 4% of health facilities in the region provide services for gender-based violence, and fewer than 6% offer youth-friendly services despite a significant portion of the population being under 35 years old. In Fiji specifically, reports indicate that two out of three women experience intimate partner violence, highlighting a pressing need for improved reproductive and gender-based health services.
The project aims to tackle crucial issues such as early and unintended pregnancies, training health workers, and addressing the rising rates of HIV infections in Fiji. An initial investment of NZD 2.6 million will fund the first year, with close collaboration expected between participating Pacific nations’ Ministries of Health to align the initiative with national development strategies.
This project builds on ongoing efforts in the region to improve sexual and reproductive health, evidenced by the recent launch of Fiji’s National Family Planning Policy 2025-2030. This policy seeks to elevate health outcomes by expanding access to education and resources, empowering women and youth, and ultimately fostering a more resilient society.
With collaborative initiatives from governments, UN agencies, and community organizations, there is renewed hope for enhancing health services in the Pacific, paving the way for improved outcomes in reproductive health for women and young people across the region. The commitment to addressing these pressing health challenges is a significant step towards creating a healthier future for all.