Rheumatic Heart Disease is the second most common cause of death among 5‑29 year olds in Fiji and affects as many as 1 in 50 children in Fiji.
This is the statistic released by the Ministry of Health as it launched a media campaign which is aimed at people living with acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease across Fiji.
While speaking at the launch, Minister for Health Rosy Akbar says there are many barriers to patients receiving their monthly injections and the media campaign with other activities such as patient support groups and health worker training, are intended to help address these challenges.
Akbar says the aim is to ensure more patients are receiving their treatment each month, even if they feel well.
She says the launch of the campaign follows extensive patient consultations to better understand the challenges faced by patients in receiving monthly Benzathine treatment.
Akbar adds many patients reported that they feel well or that they did not understand the importance of Benzathine treatment and that is why they stopped going to the clinic each month.
She says the campaign is a reminder to Rheumatic Heart Disease patients to return to their clinic to re‑commence treatment.
The Health Minister says they understand that committing to monthly antibiotic injections for 10 years or even longer, can be challenging.
Meanwhile, Rheumatic Heart Disease Control and Prevention Project Lead, Liz Kennedy says they want to let patients and carers know that they are risking their, or their child’s future health if they stop treatment without medical advice.
She says Rheumatic Heart Disease is a common yet preventable heart condition, causing significant health problems through childhood and into early adulthood.
