More than 4000 individuals in Fiji are registered with Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), with more than 70 percent of them under the age of 30.
While addressing a World Heart Day event at Hilton Special School in Suva on Monday, Health Ministry chief medical adviser Dr Luisa Cikamatana said RHD was the second leading cause of death in Fiji for young people aged five to 29.
“The financial impact on our health system exceeds $19million annually, encompassing hospitalisations and surgeries related to RHD,” she said.
Dr Cikamatana said by working together, governments, NGOs, schools, families, and communities could protect every heartbeat and secure every child’s future.
Ministry of Health acting chief medical adviser Dr Luisa Cikamatana and students of Frank Hilton Special School celebrate World Heart Day in Suva on Monday.
Ministry of Health acting chief medical adviser Dr Luisa Cikamatana, left, and Heart Heroes Fiji manager Erini Kala look on as students of Hilton Special School display their placards marking World Heart Day in Suva on Monday. Pictures: LITIA RITOVA
Jonathan Lord, a rheumatic heart patient and vice-president of Heart Heroes Youth Fiji, shares his story during the World Heart Day celebration at Hilton Special School on Monday.
Ministry of Health acting chief medical adviser Dr Luisa Cikamatana (left) with Hilton Special School head of school Ashwini Mudliar and Early Intervention Centre head of school Eroni Tulele.
Hilton Special School students during the World Heart Day celebrations on Monday.
Acting Chief Medical Advisor Dr Luisa Cikamatana(middle) with parents and students of Frank Hilton Special School pose for a photo during the World Heart Day celebrations in Suva on Monday. Picture: LITIA RITOVA
Students of Hilton Special School gather for a photo shoot during the World Heart Day celebration in Suva.
