Story of Change: Improving young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health services in Fiji

Planned pregnancies spaced between two or more years would result in healthier babies and fewer medical problems for a mother. Planning for a child will help you avoid the social, medical, and financial problems that are associated with raising a child. There are many birth control methods and techniques available and can be accessed at all MSP clinics, free of charge. MSP works to strengthen access to quality integrated sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in the country.

Since MSP’s inception in 2010, we have seen significant results in women accessing our services. A glaring example would be a touching story of a 19-year-old, single mother who was empowered, and therefore demonstrating that potentially many more young people can benefit from accessing these essential services.  

‘My dream is to be able to depend on myself’ 

As a child growing up in the greater Suva area, there were more opportunities for Amelia (not her real name). She was doing well at school and on completing primary level, gained a pass for secondary school. Unfortunately, her secondary school life was short lived because her parents could not afford her school fees. She was devastated. “I wanted to continue with school but couldn’t, so I stayed at home for a whole year,” she says. “I felt bad about this but I had no choice.” She helped with the housework, but she felt her stepfather (at that time) was abusive towards her and this prompted her to make alternative plans. After a year, I met a man, Tomasi, (not his real name) and we decided to get intimate,” Amelia says. “I didn’t like staying at home because I was not going to school, so running away from home and living with him was the solution to my problems. This man was my ‘rescue’.” 

Tomasi’s parents paid for Amelia’s education and she studied at a prominent university in Suva, majoring in hospitality and tourism, as this was her passion. Tomasi was also a student at the same university but eventually dropped out of school. 

Tomasi and Amelia never used protection whilst having sex because Tomasi did not support the idea of using condoms. “So, we never used any,” she says. “Two months after I enrolled into college, I was pregnant. When I told him, he said it couldn’t be his and he left me without saying goodbye.” His reaction devastated her, but worse was yet to come. “His parents took me back to my parents and asked them for forgiveness, asking them to take me back. I wanted to ask, why do I need forgiveness?”. Having a child to support without an income has proved difficult for Amelia. She had suicidal thoughts and she continued to say that “I’m seeing my life go downhill because my child is another burden.” Amelia’s family took her back with open arms and 9 months later she gave birth to a healthy baby girl. 

When the MSP team visited her village, Amelia was very interested in the awareness sessions and decided to get a Jadelle insertion (contraceptive implant). This is a long-term family planning method (up to five years). She has considered this in the past but was never confident enough to visit the health facility to get it done. “The presentation from MSP was very detailed and this gave me the confidence I never had. Her child is now 6 months old. Armed with this confidence and her newly gained knowledge of sexual and reproductive health, Amelia now reaches out to other youngsters who find themselves in her position. “I have been helping to educate other girls. I teach them about family planning, how to use condoms and about other methods of contraception,” she says. She also encourages them to visit MSP to access services. With the support of MSP and her immediate family, Amelia can see a new beginning for herself. “I’m happy to be on family planning. She now envisions a brighter future for herself and her child.  My dream is to return to school once my baby girl is bigger and be able to depend on myself. Now, I feel like my dreams will be achieved,” she says.

Note: Amelia and Tomasi are fictional names used to protect the identity of the client. 

Medical Services Pacific Kicks off 16 Days of Activism in Central and Northern

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls. The campaign runs every year from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day. Medical Services Pacific partnered with the Nausori Health Centre and Nausori Market and provided a 2-day market outreach for women and girls at the Nausori Market. The market vendors were able to access free reproductive health, psycho social and counselling services and legal aid services. The gender officer created awareness on gender-based and the professional health staff addressed any needs.

MSP’s planned activities for the 16 Days of Activism are”
26 – 27 November Nausori Market outreach
28 November- Wainawa village outreach
28 November – Savusavu Women’s Craft Show
6 December Qauia Village Violence Against Women (VAW)
10 December- Annual Human Rights Day march organised by the NGO Coalition on Human Rights

Medical Services Pacific Kicks off 16 Days of Activism & World AIDS Day

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls. The campaign runs every year from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day. Medical Services Pacific partnered with the Nausori Health Centre and Nausori Market and provided a 2-day market outreach for women and girls at the Nausori Market. The market vendors were able to access free reproductive health, psycho social and counselling services and legal aid services. The gender officer created awareness on gender-based and the professional health staff addressed any needs.

MSP’s planned activities for the 16 Days of Activism are”

26 – 27 November Nausori Market outreach

28 November- Wainawa village outreach

28 November – Savusavu Women’s Craft Show

4-5 December – Qauia village/ VAW

10 December- Annual Human Rights Day march organised by the NGO Coalition on Human Rights

World Aids Day “Know Your HIV Status”

Medical Services Pacific is marking the World Aids Day by having a Free Open Clinic on the 30^th November from 9 am – 5 pm. The Theme for 2018 is “Know Your HIV status”. The clinic was open to the general public with FREE HIV and STI Testing, condom giveaways, counselling, breast and cervical examination, awareness around Girl empowered and Legal Aid and social services. MSP also joined the National World AIDS Day march procession on 1 December from Flea Market to Sukuna Park organized by Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

MSP supports Breast Cancer Awareness

MSP Breast Health Day
October was Breast Cancer awareness month, Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in Fiji. If breast cancer is detected early it can be treated before it spreads to other parts of the body, most breast lumps are not cancerous but it’s always best to have them checked by a doctor or nurse.

To support International Breast Cancer Awareness month, MSP held a Breast Health Day on 27 October. We wanted to reach a varied client base so we used community radio, social media, staff networks, and handed out flyers on the street to attract clients. We had clients who had travelled from some remote villages and remote islands, after hearing about our services on the radio, or through their networks.

It was difficult for MSP to predict the numbers that would arrive on the day to utilise our services, the reality far outweighed our expectations. The tea, coffee, refreshments and pink cupcakes were a huge hit as people waited for short periods. At times we had groups of 8 people or more arrive at one time, we made sure to distribute people amongst the different areas so we did not have people waiting for too long. When we hold a similar event we would consider having an additional medical professional on hand, at 5pm we had to ask people to come back on an alternate day because we ran out of time to see everyone.

As a result of not being able to see everyone on the day, we have had many return visitors who have come in and enquired about getting their breast examination completed. Over the course of the next few weeks we are sure to see more return visitors.

MSP set up two breast examination and cervical screening rooms and a Sexual Reproductive Health and Bra Fitting room. In addition, counselling services, legal services and general health enquiries were answered by staff during the day. All rooms and staff were very busy indeed.

The Sexual Reproductive Health and Bra fitting room saw a total of 76 clients over the course of the day, we made sure to customise information given depending on the age bracket. The age range was varied between 14 and 66 years. A total of 283 bras were given away and some visitors provided a small donation. Before giving away the bras, the MSP team made sure the client was competent in how to measure their bra size for a perfect fit. The choice kit was used to showcase the contraception options available and 60 packs of Emergency Contraceptive Pill was given to women at their request. The SRH room saw lots of students from a tourism college that is down the road from our offices, with ages ranging from 18 to 25 the team went through some sections of the Girl Empowered book including contraception and preventing teenage pregnancy.

The two Doctor’s and Nursing Practioners completed 62 breast checks, 10 cervical screens and 2 IUCD’s, with 2 referrals to the hospital for further investigation after breast checks. A follow up will be done with the clients that were referred to the hospital and counselling was provided on the day, results will be provided to those who had cervical screening in 2 weeks’ time. Some clients had never had their breasts examined before and were extremely grateful for this free service, many customers also noted that they had not heard about MSP before today and would definitely be returning to MSP.

Some other comments from clients during the day included “ I heard about this wonderful service on the radio and travelled from my village”, “Thank you so much MSP, I will be back” , “I am texting my friends right now and telling them to come down here”

We also received this email from a client:

“I am a 63 year old grandmother. I heard about the free breast examination day from my daughter. After 30 plus years, I had my paps smear test done and also a breast examination. I am glad that I got the examination done at MSP. I was very nervous in the beginning but the medical team was very understanding and made me feel at ease to access the service. It was also a learning experience for me. The staffs were friendly and I got to meet other women who were there for similar examination. I am looking forward to my paps result. MSP should hold events like this more often. Thank you MSP!”

MSP had MSP and Girl empowered wrist bands available as well as condoms and other giveaways. It was a very successful day for MSP, having 76 clients utilising our services and increasing the communities’ knowledge of Breast Health and MSP services.