A two weeks conference for Provincial Reproductive Health Managers is currently being held in Honiara, at the Forum Fisheries Agency's conference room.
Speaking during the opening was the Chief of Office for UNICEF, Roy Bowen who told participants that the conference can "awake and sharpen their ongoing commitment and dedication to do what it takes to improve reproductive services and reduce on maternal, mortality and mobility."Attended by more than 50 participants within Honiara and the Provinces, the theme of the conference is 'Opportunities to Improve Quality Reproductive Health and Reposition Family planning Services.'
Covered in the conference are; Antenatal care, Skilled Delivery Attendance, Nutrition before and after delivery, HIV and AIDS, and the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission [PMTCT].
According to Mr. Bowen, women need the benefit of care that begins when they are young adolescents and services that help prevent unplanned pregnancies.
He continued to say that the main constraints in maternity care in the Pacific Countries are the lack of communication between institutions and the transportation system.
Mr. Bowen encouraged participants that in order to save lives, skilled attendants need to be linked up with a larger health care system with proper facilities, supplies, transport and professionals to provide emergency obstetric care when needed.
Mr Bowen said that UNICEF is hoping to work together with all their partners in the health sector in Solomon Islands.
He also ensured participants that UNICEF is fully committed in working together in partnership with its partners, "Our actions are led by our commitment to the realization of children's and women's rights."