The Ministry of Health Rheumatic Heart Disease team recently travelled to Savusavu to meet with students diagnosed with Rheumatic Heart Disease.
During their visit to Savusavu, the team conducted a patient support group and awareness session with nurses from Savusavu Hospital on the common yet manageable conditions of rheumatic heart disease.
Rheumatic Heart Disease kills more than 60 Fijians each year.
It is the most common acquired heart disease in children in Fiji, with those aged between 5 and 15 considered most at risk.
During the awareness program, Rheumatic Heart Disease Program Technical Advisor, Dr Sainimere Boladuadua emphasised on the importance of Benzathine injections as a prevention measure for worsening heart conditions.
The students who were diagnosed with Rheumatic Heart Disease have been advised to take their injection each month for 10 years or more, even when they feel well.
Rheumatic Heart Disease is a common yet preventable heart condition, causing significant health problems through childhood and into early adulthood.
It is also the second most common cause of death among the ages of 5 to 29 year olds in Fiji.
Studies have shown that Rheumatic Heart Disease affects as many as 1 in 50 children in Fiji.
