MOTHERS play a very significant role in the management of the family unit and the relaying vital information regarding cancer awareness, says Aspen Hospital Lautoka Paediatrician, Dr Savenaca Seduadua.
Dr Seduadua’s comment came after the first ever childhood cancer awareness workshop organised by WOWS Kids Fiji in partnership with the Ministry of Health and also supported by Fiji Cancer Society and Aspen Hospital, in Lautoka on Friday 11th of July.
The workshop was conducted with members of the Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei Yasana o Ba (SSViTBa), Nadi and Lautoka zones.
“In our local setting, we don’t function as isolated nuclear families. Instead, we operate as a cohesive extended family unit,” Dr Seduadua said.
“If a child falls ill, the responsibility and care extend beyond just their parents to include grandparents, cousins and other family members.”
Dr Seduadua said, “women are considered as decision-makers in households so I think involving the Soqosoqo Vakamarama today was a really good move by WOWS Kids Fiji.”
Fiji Cancer Society Patient Care Support Officer West Vokili Ali said the organisation engages, educates and communicates through cancer awareness and programs. “We provide cancer screenings for adults; we encourage early detections of cancer and reduce cancer risk through healthy lifestyle choices. We provide community, non-clinical support throughout Fiji,” she said.
“For us in the West, we look after Sigatoka all the way up to Ra. We have a total of 432 patients registered with us as of yesterday.”
SSViTBa co-ordinator Leilani Tora said the group’s strategic plan was endorsed after its constitution was reviewed in December, 2022.
“When women see our children sick, when our husbands are sick, we are the ones that are at the forefront to ensure that they get the attention that they need,” Ms Tora said.
“But a lot of times, because we lack the knowledge, we fear the hospitals, and our children don’t get the attention they need.”
Ms Tora said today’s childhood cancer workshop was another way to get women to understand that early detection is their best bet when it comes to cancer.
“If you’re going to keep getting scared, you risk the life of your child, particularly children, because that’s the main purpose of this workshop.”
“The Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei Yasana o Ba represents more than 12,000 women, 109 villages and WOWS reached out to us in order to be able to effectively communicate their message across our Yasana.”
