I was horrified during my pregnancy while taking a tour of the CWM Maternity Unit – Baselala

Maternal death is preventable if the government invests in more resources for both urban and rural areas as the maternal death rate in Fiji stood at 86 for every 100,000 births last year.

Member of Parliament in the Women’s Mock Parliament and former Deputy Editor in Chief, Elenoa Baselala highlighted this and stressed that during her pregnancy she took a tour of the CWM Maternity Unit and was horrified when she saw a falling ceiling in the unit.

The mother of eight says this is happening in the urban setting and there is a need to imagine about those who are in the rural areas.

Baselala says hospitals in rural areas should have machines for blood tests since most women have to come to Suva or another tertiary hospital for blood test which can be very expensive.

She adds that maternal health is an investment in the nation's future and the well-being of mothers, children and the community.

Baselala supported the motion for an increase in the 2025-2026 budget allocation for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services for maternal health care in rural areas to improve access to quality care for pregnant women.

Meanwhile, Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection in the Mock Parliament, Losana Derenalagi says there is more death rate compared to birth rate in Fiji.

Derenalagi says one of the main causes of these deaths is maternal injury which is from excessive blood loss, infection, high blood pressure and unsafe abortion.

She says we should prioritise and concentrate on the lives of women and girls with skilled health professionals working in a supportive environment.

The Assistant Minister acknowledged the Health Ministry for the development of the first ever maternal health strategic plan for Fiji.

She says this is a big achievement because it will contribute to a more strategic direction for maternal and child health care for Fiji.

Derenalagi says with extra funding they would be able to train and recruit more nurses to fill the void left by those who have left while it will improve the services.

She says the maternal health strategic plan for Fiji is a big achievement because it will contribute to a more strategic direction for maternal and child health care for Fiji.

The motion was passed by the Women’s Mock Parliament.