Freelancer pediatrician Dr Maryanne Kora’ai says rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is now affecting more than one in every 50 children in Fiji.
“That’s old statistics, that’s 2013 statistics,” she said during an interview with this newspaper at the Fiji College of General Practitioners 29th annual conference 2023 in Sigatoka last week.
“When we screen whether we are screening in the interior of Namosi, at Sai Prema or in schools, we are seeing more than two per cent or one in 50 children — we are seeing more.
“And these are the children who are doing well.”
Dr Kora’ai said a lot of work was needed to create awareness on RHD.
“We aren’t making a lot of noise. It’s a big burden and collectively we all need to play a role in this.
“Ministry of Education like I’ve said, I am in the technical advisory committee so that’s something that we want to push to introduce it in the syllabus.”
She added that RHD was here to stay and that ongoing awareness was critical. |
