Last Updated on 8 years by Publishing Team
Rheumatic Heart Disease Mobile Clinic Launched
Hon. Minister for Health & Medical Services Jone Usamate with some of the children who attended the RHD clinic at the Sofitel Resort at Denarau.
The Hon. Minister for Health & Medical Services, Mr Jone Usamate, launched Fiji’s first Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) Mobile Clinic at Sofitel Resort & Spa Nadi.
The Mobile Clinic has been custom built for undertaking echocardiograms (echos) of the heart in the community. An echo is a simple procedure that provides images of the heart that enable a specialist medical officer to detect cases of RHD, in some cases before there are symptoms. Echos of the heart are also used when reviewing patients already diagnosed with RHD.
Mr Usamate said that “RHD is a common yet preventable heart condition in Fiji. RHD causes significant morbidity, disability and mortality through childhood and into early adulthood. Recent research has shown that while RHD usually first affects children aged 5-15; it is a leading cause of death for adults in Fiji.
“This Mobile Clinic is an example of the significant investment being made in building the capability of the Fiji Islands RHD Control and Prevention Program”
Funding for the Mobile Clinic was the direct result of a fundraising partnership between Cure Kids and AccorHotels. Over a ten year period, AccorHotels have raised over $2m for Cure Kids-led child health initiatives in Fiji.
Meanwhile, the RHD mobile clinic will screen close to 400 children from local communities for RHD.
