The national shortage of midwives is projected to improve with the recent graduation of 14 new midwifery nurses from Sangam College of Nursing and Health Care Education in Labasa. This cohort was part of a larger group of 113 student nurses who celebrated their graduation this year, which included candidates who completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery—an essential qualification for enhancing maternal and newborn care across Fiji.
Among the graduates, Staff Nurse Jokapeci Tuinaosara, who has dedicated the last decade to the Ministry of Health, expressed her excitement about joining the midwifery team at Nabouwalu Divisional Hospital. “This is my 10th year in the service. Today has been a blessing for me. I’ve always admired the work of midwives from a distance, but as I graduate today, I hope to return to the country and serve the people of Bua, especially the women, in caring for maternal and newborn care,” she shared.
Another new midwife, Nellie Masioliva, described her journey as challenging yet fulfilling, driven by her passion for supporting mothers and newborns. The event also highlighted student nurse Ana Loki, who was awarded the gold medal and three additional honors for her outstanding academic performance.
The administration at Sangam College of Nursing emphasizes that these 113 graduates, including the newly qualified midwives, will play a crucial role in mitigating the national shortage of nurses and midwifery specialists, particularly in underserved and rural areas. This new influx of trained professionals marks a hopeful step toward improving healthcare services for mothers and infants throughout the country.
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