As of July this year, health officials have reported a concerning total of 4,984 patients diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in Fiji. This statistic was highlighted by Verenaisi Werekoro, the national RHD coordinator for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, during the Fiji Oral Health Association’s annual conference held in Nadi last week.
Ms. Werekoro noted a troubling trend in RHD diagnoses, particularly among pregnant women and young adults. “Our focus is primarily on school-aged children between five and 15 years old,” she explained, underscoring the importance of early detection and intervention. Rheumatic heart disease is known to stem from complications following acute rheumatic fever, which can result in significant heart valve damage.
Werekoro emphasized the necessity of recognizing the early signs of acute rheumatic fever to prevent the progression to RHD. “Unfortunately, many cases are identified only once they reach advanced stages,” she stated. The current case distribution shows 845 RHD instances in the Northern Division, 1,160 in the Western Division, while the Central Division is particularly alarming, accounting for 2,979 cases.
The increase in outreach screenings has been instrumental in identifying more cases, with new diagnoses reported daily from various divisions. This proactive approach aligns with public health efforts previously discussed by health advocates such as Erini Tokarua from Heart Heroes Fiji, who warned of the rising incidence of heart disease among young people—the disease affecting one child in every classroom, with 60 to 70 deaths each year among young individuals aged 15 to 29 due to RHD.
Health experts raise an urgent call to action, emphasizing that while there is no cure for RHD, effective prevention and early detection strategies are crucial. With the rising numbers, efforts are being mobilized to enhance community awareness and increase access to necessary health services. Initiatives like the Pacific Healthy Homes program, which aims to improve living conditions linked to health outcomes, are vital to mitigating the risk factors associated with acute rheumatic fever and RHD.
This optimistic focus on awareness and preventive healthcare illustrates a community and government response aimed at improving the health landscape, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children. Through concerted efforts, there is hope for better health outcomes and a reduction in the incidence of rheumatic heart disease in Fiji’s future.