Severe pneumonia and neonatal illnesses stand as the leading causes of child mortality in Fiji, and each year, over 200 children under the age of 5 succumb to pneumonia and neonatal illnesses.
This was highlighted by the Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr Jemesa Tudravu while opening the Child Health in Fiji – Partnership Planning Workshop in Walu Bay.
Dr Tudravu says the workshop focuses on two critical health priorities, including ensuring access to oxygen and controlling and preventing rheumatic heart disease (RHD).
He says adequate oxygen therapy diminishes severe pneumonia-related fatalities by 35 percent and is indispensable for treating other oxygen-dependent conditions.
He adds the primary objective of the Fiji Oxygen Program has been to guarantee standardized and enduring access to oxygen for patients across all tiers of healthcare facilities throughout Fiji.
The Permanent Secretary says to facilitate this, support has been provided for the installation of solar panels at 11 locations to ensure a reliable power source for oxygen delivery systems.
Talking about Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) in the country, Dr Tudravu says Fiji bears one of the highest prevalence rates of Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) and subsequent RHD in the world.
He says RHD stands as the primary cause of disease-related mortality among young individuals in Fiji aged 5-29.
He further says that it is estimated that approximately one child in every classroom has RHD, and at least 60 individuals succumb to this preventable condition annually.
Dr Tudravu adds these statistics underscore the pressing need for comprehensive and sustained intervention, and the collaboration between the Ministry and Cure Kids Fiji has been instrumental in addressing this challenge.
He says the RHD prevention and control programme has strived to fortify the national register of RHD cases, enhance adherence to recommended management protocols, bolster the capacity of our local healthcare workforce and implement advanced diagnostic and screening tools for early detection and treatment.
The Permanent Secretary says notable initiatives include supporting the pilot screening of pregnant women at the CWM Hospital and expanding nurse-led screening for Class 6 students in the Labasa Medical Area and Rewa Subdivision.
He says these efforts represent critical strides toward controlling, preventing, and ultimately eradicating RHD in Fiji, thereby ensuring healthier futures for our children.
Dr Tudravu says their combined effort thus far to ensure access to oxygen and to control and prevent RHD is lifesaving and is making a difference for our children.
He says it is contributing towards our vision for a healthier, more resilient Fiji.
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