Aunty Una Tuitubou’s journey from tragedy to advocacy began when her son, Lawrence Fung, died suddenly just shy of his 28th birthday in September 2016, weeks before his planned wedding. Struggling with the loss and motivated by a desire to prevent similar tragedies for other families, she founded the Lupus Foundation of Fiji. Lawrence had experienced symptoms of lupus for years without receiving a proper diagnosis, ultimately succumbing to complications from the disease.
Aunty Una recounted that symptoms of Lawrence’s autoimmune disease were often overlooked, resulting in missed opportunities for timely care. Despite being treated for various ailments, including asthma, his serious condition went unrecognized until it was too late. This painful experience illuminated the critical need for awareness and educated medical responses regarding lupus in Fiji.
Through the foundation, Aunty Una has worked diligently to combat the stigma surrounding lupus in Fijian communities, where it is often misunderstood as connected to witchcraft or kalounidraki. She stresses that early diagnosis and treatment can allow individuals to lead healthy and productive lives despite the disease.
The Lupus Foundation aims to increase awareness, emphasizing the necessity for specialized care, as the demand for rheumatologists in the region is lacking. Aunty Una expressed hope that through her foundation, families will no longer need to bury their children prematurely due to missed diagnoses.
Similar articles have reported on the urgent need for improved healthcare services in Fiji, as emphasized by the Prime Minister’s commitment to enhance access to lupus treatment and care. Recent initiatives include government plans to expand the Essential Medicines List to include essential lupus medications, which would significantly improve treatment affordability and availability.
The collective efforts of the Lupus Foundation and government initiatives tell a hopeful story. Together, they are working to foster a better understanding of lupus, ensuring that those impacted by the disease receive the critical support and healthcare they need. Enhancing awareness and resources can gradually change how autoimmune diseases are viewed and treated in communities across Fiji, leading to improved outcomes for all.
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