"UNFPA is working with the Government of Fiji to ensure that every birth is safe, that mothers of Fiji are able to deliver safely; UNFPA is very proud to be associated with the Ministry of Health (and Medical Services) in terms of ensuring safe motherhood.

"We support family life education and wellness centers because we feel that it is important for women to have children by choice and not by chance, this is very important to us as well as to the people of Fiji."

Dr Tuicakau expressed appreciation to UNFPA for the equipment, past assistance and ongoing collaborations including the refurbishment of the wellness center in Lautoka, the development of a Family Planning training package and clinical guidelines for gender-based violence, and the purchase of IT equipment for the ministry's reproductive health programme.

"Maternal health is one of the important priorities in health service delivery ... the health of women or the health of our mothers is very important of the ministry of health as well as the country of Fiji," Dr Tuicakau said.

"Our mothers, women are very vital, very important in our lives, in our families, in our communities and societies. It is therefore very right that their health and their well-being is captured as a priority in any health service delivery.

"I therefore must acknowledge support and technical assistance that the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has contributed towards the reproductive health programme in Fiji...this equipment will help us meet our mandate of providing quality health care for the people of Fiji."