Fiji Records Drop in Teen Pregnancies

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services’ head of family health, Dr Rachel Devi, says teen pregnancies in Fiji is gradually declining, but more work still needs to be done to curb the prevalence of teen pregnancies.

Dr Devi said the ministry recorded about 1000 teenage pregnancies per year.

Thanks to several targeted programmes, including a nationwide condom campaign, the numbers are decreasing, she said.

“The Ministry of Health is working closely with, for example, the Ministry of Education to develop a family life education curriculum and conduct trainings,” she said.

“These young people are not just in schools; they are some dropouts. So, we also partner with non-government organisations to carry out sexual reproductive health programmes to reach young people in communities.”

The ministry’s condom campaign has been a key initiative in this effort, which Dr Devi said ensured everyone, old and young, had access to readily available condoms at health facilities.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services’ head of family health, Dr Rachel Devi. Photo: Jernese Macanawai

While ongoing actions to improve access has been successful so far, Dr Devi noted that there was still a need to equip more health facilities nationwide with dispensers so Fijians could confidentially and safely access condoms without judgement and other barriers.

“Rather than having to go and ask a nurse or a doctor, we don’t want individuals to feel obliged to ask,” she said.

“These things are very important programmes for us, because we want to make sure young people are able to access services confidentially in a private space.”

Feedback: jernese.macanawai@fijisun.com.fj