Navua celebrated its first World Heart Day yesterday, bringing together ten local schools for a march that began at the old Navua Hospital and concluded at the Vashist Muni Memorial School hall. The event aimed to promote awareness of heart health, with a specific focus on rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and acute rheumatic fever (ARF), conditions that significantly affect children.
Erini Tokarua, manager of Heart Heroes Fiji, emphasized the importance of involving schools in this initiative. “We want schools to recognize World Heart Day and understand the significance of rheumatic heart disease and awareness,” she stated. Tokarua pointed out that statistically, one student in every classroom suffers from rheumatic heart disease, which highlights the need for increased awareness and understanding in the community.
The event also tackled crucial issues related to adherence to treatment. Tokarua noted that there have been instances in Navua where individuals have not followed through with their treatment, potentially leading to severe health complications. “Creating awareness about the importance of treatment is vital for prolonging lives and ensuring that affected children can lead normal, healthy lives,” she added.