1 in 50 children in classrooms has rheumatic heart disease - Dr Fong

1 in 50 children in the classrooms of Fiji has rheumatic heart disease which is highly common in children from 5 to 15 years old.

This was highlighted by the Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services, Doctor James Fong during the World Heart Day celebrations at Albert Park.

Rheumatic Heart Disease is a life-threatening heart condition which results from damaged heart valves.

Doctor Fong says this is the leading cause of death in children and youths in the world, where approximately 300,000 deaths are caused every year because of rheumatic heart disease.

He says the Ministry has two very important roles to play for the people of Fiji, first is to prevent one from getting the disease and second is to prevent one from suffering from any particular disease.

He further says that rheumatic heart disease is preventable when people take good care of themselves by having a balanced diet and staying away from alcohol and smoking.

He says awareness is important so that Fijians can have a healthy life which will lead to a healthy Fiji.

The Health Expo allows people to take full opportunity of the heart screening for children and adults.