Urgent Call to Action: Pacific Leaders Unite to Save Mothers and Newborn
On World Health Day, Pacific nations and United Nations agencies have united under the powerful theme, “Healthy beginnings, hopeful future,” urging immediate action to improve maternal and newborn health across the region.
This year’s focus underscores the pressing need for high-quality care for women and babies, with leaders calling for bold commitments from governments, communities, and stakeholders alike. The campaign will continue throughout the year, creating space for meaningful conversations (talanoa) and sharing stories of mothers to inspire and drive change.
The Pacific faces some of the world’s most severe maternal and newborn health disparities, worsened by climate change, geographic remoteness, and fragile healthcare systems. Yet, there is hope. There is immense potential for progress if efforts are intensified. In some Pacific nations, the maternal mortality ratio exceeds 120 per 100,000 live births, while neonatal mortality rates reach 40 per 1,000 live births—stark reminders of the urgent need to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Investing in maternal and newborn health isn’t just an act of care—it’s an investment in the future,” emphasizes Dr. Mark Jacobs, WHO Representative to the South Pacific. He calls for health care that goes beyond survival: services that are trauma-sensitive, dignified, and respectful to mothers, babies, and families alike.
Transformative change is the rallying cry. Experts stress the need for radical action, innovative partnerships, and stronger healthcare systems. These efforts must span sectors—integrating climate resilience, education, and gender equity—to build sustainable progress across the Pacific.
UNFPA’s Pacific Director, Ms. Bidisha Pillai, highlighted the vital link between reproductive rights and health outcomes. “Safety for pregnant mothers, quality of care, and accessible health facilities are crucial,” she said. UNFPA continues to expand access to modern contraception, train midwives, and ensure life-saving maternal health supplies reach even the most remote communities—saving lives and empowering women, families, and societies.
In the spirit of collaboration, agencies and governments work hand in hand to provide essential reproductive health supplies and information, while also empowering women and girls to take charge of their health. These initiatives not only reduce mortality rates but also strengthen healthcare systems for future generations.
“It is heartbreaking to see children and women still losing their lives to preventable causes,” shared Mr. Jonathan Veitch, UNICEF Pacific Representative. He stressed the importance of shifting from disease treatment to robust primary health care and community empowerment, ensuring even the most isolated communities have access to quality care.
Dr. Berlin Kafoa, Director of Public Health at SPC, reinforced the message of collaboration following the recent Pacific Heads of Nursing and Midwifery Meeting. “Nurses and midwives are the backbone of the health sector,” he said, noting that the meeting’s recommendations will significantly contribute to ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
This collective effort echoes the values of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, envisioning a future defined by resilience, inclusion, and sustainable prosperity. It also marks 30 years since the Healthy Islands vision was born—a holistic framework for Pacific health and wellbeing, emphasizing dignity, ecological balance, and protected oceans.
As the Pacific commemorates this milestone, its leaders reaffirm a vision where every child is nurtured, every woman is safe, and every community thrives in harmony with its environment. The message is clear: with solidarity and determination, the Pacific can build a future where no mother or newborn is left behin