‘Heart to Heart’ Rheumatic Heart Fever Awareness Campaign Launches

The Cure Kids Fiji Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) Program is pleased to announce the launch of the ‘Heart to Heart’ Rheumatic Fever Awareness Campaign which will run for the month of September across the country.

The campaign which will be led by people living with and affected by rheumatic heart disease is to raise awareness about the signs of rheumatic heart fever and to encourage parents and carers of school aged children to seek care when needed.

Public health advisor, Dr Sainimere Boladuadua goes on to explain when parents and carers should pay extra attention to their child’s health, “if your child complains of a sore throat followed by sore or swollen joint, we recommend that you seek medical advice. This could be a sign of rheumatic heart fever which may eventually lead to damage to the valves of their heart.  You could be protecting your child from getting very sick in the future.    You could save their life.”

Rheumatic heart disease, or RHD is more common than people may realise in Fiji. In the last two months alone more than 50 new cases have been identified among primary school students in the Suva area alone.  These are children that often appear healthy but have, in the past had rheumatic heart fever which was left untreated.

The RHD Prevention and Control Program encourages parents and carers to ‘think rheumatic heart fever’ and seek medical advice when needed.   If the disease in a child is picked up early enough and they are placed on treatment they have a chance of going on to live a normal and productive life.

The New Zealand Partnerships for International Development Fund is a major contributor to the RHD Program along with Cure Kids Fiji, Accor Hotels and the Fiji Water Foundation.

-ENDS-

For more information on Cure Kids Fiji contact Jennifer Miller on M: +679 944 0488 or Email: jennifer@curekids.org.fj

For more information on the Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) Program contact Liz Kennedy

Project Lead: RHD Prevention and Control Program Liz@curekids.org.nz