Last Updated on 8 years by Publishing Team

MANUAL TO STRENGTHEN MATERNAL HEALTH SERVICES

Maternal health remains one of the key priorities and is one of two strategic pillars which focuses on the delivery of health services in the National Strategic Plan 2016-2020.

This was highlighted by the Minister for Health and Medical Services Hon. Jone Usamate at the launch of the “Infection Prevention and Control in Maternity Units’ Training Manual” at CWMH in Suva today.

“Based on released World Health Organisation international data, there has been a 50 percent reduction in maternal deaths from preventable causes in 2015 compared to that in 1990” (63/100,000 in 1990 and 30/100, 000 in 2015), Minister Usamate said.

“There was also a decreasing trend at 5 year intervals during that 25 year period, however the reduction fell short of our expectations.”

Minister Usamate added that the Ministry aimed for a 75 percent reduction at least, and continued to focus on maternal health.

“Last year our maternal mortality rate was 44.4 per 100,000 births. The major causes of maternal deaths in Fiji; haemorrhage, sepsis and infection, hypertensive disorders and abortion with other causes”.

“We continue to put in place strategies to ensure that mothers receive quality care and prevent any maternal deaths, and we thank the Australian government through the Fiji Health Sector Support Program for supporting us in our efforts.”

Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific Steven Ciobo commended the Fijian government for prioritising health care, in particular maternal health.

“This manual timely and the associated programs linked to it will make maternal services safer,” Minister Ciobo said.

The manual will be able to train doctors, nurses and midwifes to prevent and reduce infections in maternity facilities.