The residents of Kadavu recently benefited from a three-day heart echo screening outreach organized by the Ministry of Health’s Echo Surgical Team. This initiative was conducted in partnership with Sai Prema and Heart Heroes Fiji and took place at the Daviqele, Kavala, and Vunisea health facilities, reflecting the ministry’s commitment to combating cardiovascular diseases.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in Fiji, posing significant challenges for families and the community at large. Health officials indicated that the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, including heart disease and stroke, continues to rise, largely driven by preventable risk factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption.
The outreach aimed to promote early detection of heart-related issues and to educate the community about warning signs linked to cardiovascular disease. Medical teams performed echocardiogram assessments to uncover underlying heart conditions that might otherwise remain undetected. By identifying these issues early, timely medical intervention can be facilitated, which is crucial for enhancing health outcomes and quality of life for patients.
This program underscores the Ministry of Health’s dedication to delivering essential health services to underserved maritime and rural areas as part of its broader strategy to prevent non-communicable diseases. The outreach not only provides critical screenings but also fosters greater awareness of cardiovascular health, which is vital for reducing the disease’s impact in Fiji.
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