Nurses and midwives hailed as backbone of Pacific health as Fiji hosts regional workshop on workforce resilience
The Ministry of Health is underscoring the vital role played by nurses and midwives in both clinical and non-clinical settings, saying their work is foundational to strong health systems across the Pacific. Acting Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Luisa Cikamatana told participants at the Strengthening Health Workforce in the Pacific In-House Workshop that the event provides a valuable platform for health workers to discuss nursing regulation and accreditation. She noted that nurses and midwives comprise about 86% of the regulated health workforce across the Pacific region, underscoring their central place in delivering care.
Dr. Cikamatana emphasized that this workshop builds on the Pacific Leadership Program conducted in Sydney last year and earlier this year. She said the program has opened opportunities for a wide range of healthcare professionals to gain knowledge and share insights, which are now being cascaded into Fiji’s healthcare system. “You are the backbone of our health systems, present in every community, every clinic, and every crisis. But your ability to deliver quality care depends on the systems that support you, some of which are robust legislation, strong governance, clear standards, quality education, and continuing professional development,” she remarked.
The two-day workshop aims to give health professionals a space to discuss current challenges, identify gaps in existing nursing policies, and work collaboratively to close those gaps. It seeks to strengthen the systems that ensure healthcare quality and safety, with resilience in mind as the region faces growing pressures from climate change, health emergencies, and shifting population needs.
Broader regional context and value add
This gathering sits within a wider framework of ongoing regional health system strengthening efforts. It aligns with initiatives such as the second Regional Workshop of the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s Project for Pacific Co-Learning Towards a Resilient Health System (ResPACT), led by Fiji’s health leadership to share experiences and scalable solutions. The sessions also echo global and regional momentum around the World Bank Health Systems Flagship Program, which focuses on improving policy understanding, cross-border collaboration, and sustainable workforce development for Pacific Island Countries. These linked efforts highlight a shared commitment to retaining healthcare professionals, upgrading training and regulation, and building more resilient health systems for the long term.
Commentary and outlook
Strengthening nursing and midwifery regulation, accreditation, and continuing professional development is crucial for retaining talent and improving patient outcomes. By consolidating knowledge from leadership programs and regional workshops, Fiji and its Pacific partners can better address workforce shortages, migration pressures, and the demand for high-quality care across all communities. The event’s outcomes could translate into clearer standards, stronger governance, and more robust educational pathways for nurses and midwives, contributing to a healthier, more resilient Pacific.
Summary
– Aimed at reinforcing the role of nurses and midwives in the Pacific, with emphasis on regulation, accreditation, and ongoing professional development.
– The workshop shares content with regional efforts like ResPACT and parallel World Bank health initiatives, reinforcing cross-border collaboration.
– Key goal: identify policy gaps and strengthen health systems to withstand climate-related and emergency challenges while meeting evolving population needs.
– Positive momentum suggests ongoing improvements in nurse and midwife workforce support, education, and retention across Pacific Islands.
Key takeaways
– Nurses and midwives are the backbone of Pacific health systems, making up a large share of the regulated workforce.
– Regional collaboration and leadership programs are driving policy updates and shared solutions.
– Retention and professional development remain critical to sustaining a resilient health workforce for climate and health emergencies.
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