Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is increasingly recognized as a serious health issue in Fiji. Erini Tokarua, the manager of Heart Heroes Fiji, reported that a significant number of young individuals are succumbing to this avoidable illness, with recent research showing that one child in every classroom is affected.
“We are currently focused on raising awareness about rheumatic heart disease,” Ms. Tokarua explained. “There are many efforts addressing other health conditions, such as congenital issues, but we want to elevate RHD in discussions.”
She pointed out the alarming statistic that between 60 to 70 young people aged 15 to 29 die from rheumatic heart disease each year, with iTaukei women being the most affected demographic. Ms. Tokarua emphasized the urgency of the situation during a recent interview.
“Today’s theme is ‘Use heart for action,’ and our main concern is RHD,” she stated. “This condition impacts our youth, and losing them means a bleaker future for us all. It’s essential that we start conversations about rheumatic heart disease.”
Currently, there is no cure for RHD, highlighting the critical need for prevention. Many individuals impacted by the disease are reliant on palliative care and face challenges in accessing the surgical treatments they need, which are often unavailable in Fiji. Ms. Tokarua noted that most surgeries conducted in the nation tend to focus on congenital heart defects, leaving RHD cases insufficiently addressed.