RHD kills more young people in Fiji than any other disease - Curr

Children, pregnant women and their families who are diagnosed with Rheumatic Heart Disease will continue getting better treatment and screenings as the New Zealand government has provided further assistance of NZ$3 million to the Health Ministry.

New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Fiji, Jonathan Curr says it is important to reduce the burden of Rheumatic Heart Disease or RHD as it kills more young people in Fiji than any other disease.

There are about 4,400 registered RHD patients in Fiji and about 60 related deaths every year.

The New Zealand government has partnered with Cure Kids Fiji to carry out the second phase of the RHD Control and Prevention Programme till 2023.

The second phase of the programme will improve access to care and expand screenings and treatment programmes in schools and hospitals which will also target pregnant women and families of newly diagnosed cases.

While speaking at the launch, Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr. James Fong says despite the challenges faced by the Ministry, they have been progressively addressing the disease for the past 15 years.

He says improving health outcomes from this disease is critical and partnerships like this accelerate progress.

Dr. Fong has also thanked the New Zealand government and Cure Kids for their continuous support.

The NZ government and Cure Kids Fiji began working with the Ministry of Health to deliver the first phase of RHD Control and Prevention Programme in 2014.