THE Fiji Haemophilia Foundation is calling on the Government to sign a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) to help improve treatment and support for people living with bleeding disorders in Fiji.
Foundation founder and president Kunaal Prasad said about 50 people living with haemophilia in Fiji currently did not have regular access to modern treatment.
Speaking to this newspaper in Nadi, Mr Prasad said a lack of funding was one of the major challenges faced by the Foundation.
“Some of the challenges we have come across are lack of funding and many of the patients are living with disability,” he said.
Mr Prasad said some patients lived in remote areas and had to travel long distances to access diagnostic services.
He said ASPEN-managed Lautoka Hospital was the only facility where the necessary diagnostic tests could be conducted, with samples then sent to New Zealand for testing.
“These tests get shipped out to New Zealand and take one to four months for the results to come back.”
Mr Prasad said the foundation also tried to provide transportation for people living with disabilities, but a lack of funding had forced the project to stop several times.
He said the Fiji Haemophilia Foundation was affiliated with the World Federation of Hemophilia and served as its national organisation in Fiji.
“We have provided all the assistance we can to hospitals and health centres in Fiji.
“We need the Government’s assistance, and we need their cooperation in helping us help others.”
Mr Prasad said the foundation provided free modern medicines known as recombinant factors to people with bleeding disorders on Fiji’s main islands, with the cost covered by the foundation.
“All we are asking is a formal MOU that we can sign between the Ministry of Health and Fiji Haemophilia Foundation.”
Mr Prasad said the proposed MOU had been submitted to the Ministry of Health in April 2024 and the foundation had held one dialogue with the ministry in 2025, but no agreement had been reached.
“Since then, we have been waiting to have a formal conversation, which is not happening.”
Mr Prasad said delays in accessing appropriate treatment could have long-term consequences for people living with haemophilia.
“We are making people live with disability in Fiji by delaying the proper treatment.”
He said the foundation had identified about 50 people living with haemophilia, with patients scattered across Fiji, mainly on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
Questions sent to the Minister of Health and Medical Services remain unanswered when this edition went to press.
