Shockingly, nearly one child in every classroom across Fiji lives with Rheumatic Heart Disease.
Chief Medical Advisor, Dr. Luisa Cikamatana, stated during World Heart Day that more than 4,000 people are registered as living with RHD in Fiji, and over 70 percent of them are under 30 years old.
She says RHD is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 5 to 29, and the financial impact on the health system exceeds $19 million annually.
Dr. Cikamatana emphasised that RHD is preventable, with awareness, early detection and timely treatment, no child should have to suffer from this condition.
The Chief Medical Advisor says this isn’t just another statistic; it is a matter that affects children every single day.
Dr. Cikamatana says children aged 5 to 15 are particularly vulnerable to rheumatic fever, which can lead to RHD if left untreated.
This year’s World Heart Day theme is “Don’t Miss a Beat.”
Dr. Cikamatana urges that everyone must make RHD prevention a shared responsibility, create safe and healthy environments at home and in schools, and ensure that children with disabilities receive the care they deserve.
