MHMS completes maternal health training to strengthen care for mothers and newborns across Solomon Islands
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has successfully completed a specialised maternal health training program at the National Referral Hospital (NRH), aimed at improving the safety and quality of care for mothers and newborns in Solomon Islands.
Delivered from May 13–14 in partnership with the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), the training was supported by Australia under the Solomon Islands Australia Health Partnership.
The program was led by Australian maternal fetal medicine specialist and registered midwife Mark Beaves, and focused on strengthening clinical skills in labour monitoring and decision-making. Mark worked alongside NRH’s Obstetrics and Gynaecology team under the leadership of Head of Department Dr Leeanne Panisi.
The training introduced the Fetal Surveillance Education Program (FSEP), which supports health workers to better interpret baby heart monitoring and effectively manage labour. Key topics included monitoring the baby before birth, reading baby heart monitoring results, specialist pregnancy care for both mother and baby during pregnancy and strengthening teamwork between doctors and midwives.
Participants included NRH clinicians and midwives, as well as staff from the soon-to-be-operational Naha Birthing Centre and Guadalcanal health services, reflecting a broader effort to strengthen maternity care nationwide.
Dr. Leeanne Panisi, the Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at NRH, said “the training comes at an important time, with the Naha Birthing Health Centre expected to open soon, expanding access to safe delivery services for mothers. The knowledge and skills learned will be very useful in the operations of Naha Birthing”.
Australian High Commissioner, Jeff Roach, said the training highlighted the strong leadership of Solomon Islands health workers and the close partnership with Australia in improving maternal and newborn care.
“Behind every safe delivery is a skilled team of health workers caring for mothers and babies, often in really challenging situations,” High Commissioner Roach said.
“This training builds on that experience, helping teams strengthen their skills, support each other, and continue delivering safe, quality care for families right across Solomon Islands.”
The training emphasised that improving maternal and newborn depends not only on equipment, but also on well-trained staff, effective systems, and strong clinical governance.
MHMS acknowledged RANZCOG for funding and supporting the training and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the health workforce and improving outcomes for mothers and newborns across the country.
PRESS RELEASE
