A national consultation aimed at enhancing Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Adolescent Health (SRMNAH) for women, adolescents, and youth is set to kick off by early 2026. This announcement was made by Bidisha Pillai, Director and Representative of the Pacific United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), during the launch of the SRMNAH project.
Pillai highlighted the importance of the New Zealand Government’s funding of NZD 5.6 million, which is instrumental in implementing this regional initiative. “Investments must focus on strengthening the quality of care that women and girls receive during childbirth, which encompasses trained staff, appropriate equipment, and reproductive health commodities,” Pillai stated.
The SRMNAH project aims to address various critical issues, including teenage and unintended pregnancies, HIV prevention, and the training of health workers. Pillai emphasized that increasing awareness and access to services among young people is vital in minimizing unplanned pregnancies. As part of this initiative, the project will also incorporate tailored interventions for HIV, ensuring enhanced access to testing and prophylactic treatment, needle and syringe programs, and youth-friendly health services in 130 health facilities.
In recent discussions regarding women’s and adolescent health in the Pacific, the urgency to combat rising fertility rates and the alarming rates of adolescent births were echoed. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services in Fiji also reiterated its commitment to improving Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) to promote gender equality and economic growth, recognizing the pivotal role this plays in broader societal health outcomes.
Efforts in Fiji have included initiatives to provide free family planning services at health facilities and expand educational outreach to improve awareness regarding reproductive health. These actions come in response to concerning trends, such as the approximately 1,000 teenage girls who became mothers annually between 2016 and 2019, and rising HIV infections in youth.
Looking to the future, there is hope that the SRMNAH project, along with supportive policies like Fiji’s National Family Planning Policy 2025–2030, will lead to greater empowerment of women and youth, ultimately fostering healthier outcomes across the region. The ongoing collaboration between governments, UN agencies, and communities is expected to strengthen health services and enhance overall resilience in addressing these pressing health challenges.
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