World organizations call for urgent action to save mothers and newborns in the Pacific region

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

Suva, Fiji— The maternal mortality ratio in some Pacific countries is estimated to exceed 120 per 100 000 live births, while neonatal mortality rates are as high as 40 in every 1,000 live births, according to the World Health Organization.

“These figures remind us that swift action is needed to meet the maternal and newborn health 2030 Sustainable Development Goals targets, committed by countries in 2015,” WHO said in a statement Monday on World Health Day.

“Behind these figures are devastating human stories of loss and lifelong grief, highlighting the need for transformative and systemic change to improve maternal and newborn care.”

Health organizations noted that the Pacific region faces some of the starkest maternal and newborn health disparities in the world, a predicament exacerbated by climate change, geographical remoteness and fragile healthcare systems.

WHO said the maternal mortality ratio and neonatal mortality rate are core indicators that serve as crucial measures of both maternal and newborn health and how well health care systems protect mothers and babies.

Health experts said radical action and innovative partnerships are needed to close equity gaps, strengthen the foundation of Pacific peoples and communities and make strides for health and development goals across interconnected sectors such as climate change, education, and socioeconomic empowerment.

Dr. Mark Jacobs, WHO representative to the South Pacific and director of Pacific Technical Support, said “investing in maternal and newborn health isn’t just an act of care—it’s an investment in the future."

“Beyond moving the dial on statistics,” Jacobs added, “pregnancy and birth health care should be accessible, trauma-sensitive, and offer mothers, newborns, and their families’ dignity and respect during and beyond birth.”

Bidisha Pillai, the United Nations Population Fund’s director for the Pacific Sub Regional Office and representative to Fiji, emphasized that the “safety for pregnant mothers, quality of care and accessible health facilities are all crucial elements in safeguarding maternal and newborn health, which are cornerstones of development.

She said the agency is strengthening reproductive health services across the Pacific, from expanding access to modern contraception to training midwives and ensuring life-saving maternal health supplies reach the most remote communities.

“Investing in these areas not only saves lives but also empowers women, families and entire communities,” Pillai said.

Agencies work alongside governments, civil society organizations and communities to provide life-saving reproductive health supplies, medications and equipment, as well as information for women and girls about sexual and reproductive health and how to access health care to protect their health and well-being.

“It is heartbreaking to see children and women still losing their lives to easily preventable causes. We must strengthen efforts to shift from merely treating diseases to strengthening primary health care systems and empowering communities,” said Jonathan Veitch, UNICEF Pacific representative. “Only then can we ensure that every child and woman, even in remotest locations, has access to affordable, quality care and is able to lead a healthy life.”

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