Fiji is intensifying its efforts to eradicate scabies as a significant public health issue, implementing new national guidelines, bolstering surveillance, and enhancing access to treatment. Dermatologist Metuisela Tuicakau highlighted that despite the country’s advancements in tackling several Neglected Tropical Diseases, scabies continues to pose a critical challenge that necessitates dedicated action.
To address this issue, the Ministry of Health has established a Scabies Joint Transition Committee aimed at incorporating scabies care and control into standard health services. Tuicakau noted that it has been nearly a year since the committee’s formation, which was set up to evaluate scabies management through the framework of health system strengthening as guided by the World Health Organization.
The committee is also revising national treatment guidelines to ensure accessibility across all healthcare levels, including private clinics. Assistant Minister for Health Penioni Ravunawa emphasized that strengthening surveillance systems will facilitate the early detection of scabies and quicker responses to outbreaks. “We recognize that scabies was previously only recorded at the IMCI clinic and was lumped together with other skin diseases in our public health data systems. We are pleased that infected and crusted scabies will now be considered part of notifiable diseases,” Ravunawa stated.
These developments reflect an improving landscape in the battle against neglected skin diseases in Fiji, with more individuals receiving necessary treatment and support. The concerted efforts by healthcare officials signal a hopeful step toward better public health outcomes and the eventual elimination of scabies as a pressing concern.
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