The Ministry of Health has pledged to ramp up early detection, referral pathways and specialist care for lupus patients nationwide, after the ministry’s National Advisor for Communicable Disease warned the condition is placing a growing burden on patients and the health system. Dr Maika Kama made the announcement while speaking at a World Lupus Day event at the Albert Park Pavilion in Suva on April 10, 2024.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues and organs. “We need to look at it from the outside, the immune system that is attacking the vital organs, such as the kidneys, the brain, the heart, the lungs,” Dr Kama told the gathering, adding that the disease is “not just a medical condition, it is a life-long journey that affects individuals, families, workplaces, and communities.” She warned that delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to severe complications, particularly for patients living outside Suva.
Dr Kama said Fiji has made progress tackling non-communicable diseases but that autoimmune conditions such as lupus require greater recognition within the national health system. “Specialist care is not a luxury. It is a necessity and valuable tool to develop care,” she said, framing specialist training and services as essential rather than optional for effective management.
As an immediate focus, the ministry committed to strengthening early detection and referral pathways across all divisions, expanding clinical capacity beyond the central division and providing continuous training for frontline medical workers so early warning signs of lupus are recognised. Dr Kama also said the ministry will continue prioritising specialist training, improved diagnostic services and better access to essential medicines for lupus patients nationwide.
The ministry’s announcement acknowledged the role of civil society in the response. Dr Kama singled out the Lupus Foundation of Fiji for its advocacy, public education and partnership with the Ministry of Health in supporting patients. The foundation has been active in raising awareness and encouraging people with symptoms to seek medical review, she said.
This latest declaration is the most concrete public commitment by health officials to date on addressing lupus in Fiji. It signals a shift from raising awareness to building the systems needed for earlier diagnosis and wider access to specialist care — steps experts say are crucial to preventing long-term organ damage in people living with autoimmune disease. The ministry did not provide a timeline or specific funding details for the planned expansions at the event.