Fiji is ramping up its initiative to combat the widespread public health issue of scabies by implementing a set of new national guidelines, enhancing surveillance systems, and improving access to treatment. Dermatologist Metuisela Tuicakau emphasized that while the country has made notable progress in addressing various Neglected Tropical Diseases, scabies remains a significant challenge necessitating focused intervention.
In an effort to address this pressing concern, the Ministry of Health has formed a Scabies Joint Transition Committee dedicated to integrating scabies care and control into standard healthcare services. Tuicakau pointed out that this committee has been active for almost a year, concentrating on refining scabies management through the lens of the World Health Organization’s health system strengthening framework.
The committee is also in the process of updating national treatment guidelines to ensure that care is accessible at all levels of the healthcare system, including private clinics. Assistant Minister for Health Penioni Ravunawa shared that the government is enhancing its surveillance mechanisms to support early detection and prompt reactions to any outbreak. “We are improving our health information system to ensure that scabies data is thorough and capable of pinpointing potential outbreaks,” Ravunawa stated. Notably, scabies cases previously tracked only within Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) clinics are now being classified distinctly alongside other skin conditions in the public health data system. Both infected and crusted forms of scabies will henceforth be considered notifiable diseases, facilitating better monitoring and response efforts.
The concerted actions to tackle neglected skin diseases are showing promising results, as an increasing number of individuals are finding access to necessary treatment and support. Through these efforts, Fiji is poised to make significant strides in reducing the scabies burden and enhancing the overall health of its population, reinforcing the commitment to combat this challenging health issue.