SUVA, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Fiji has revised its national policy on rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in an effort to prevent young Fijians from dying from a preventable disease.
Head of the Family Health Unit Rachel Devi said the updated policy strengthens how Fiji detects, treats, and manages the disease, which continues to affect children and young adults across the country, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation reported on Wednesday.
Devi said the policy focuses on strengthening governance, improving service delivery, ensuring consistent medication supply, and expanding community engagement.
She stressed that RHD remains a major concern among younger populations.
"Many of those affected are children and young people. Some die early because their hearts fail and that is something we can prevent," she said.
Fiji's Health Ministry has also scaled up nationwide screening programs, particularly in schools, to detect cases earlier.
Data is now being used to refine age groups for screening and improve intervention strategies.
The updated policy comes after years of research and evolving medical evidence, particularly around Group A Streptococcus infections, a leading cause of rheumatic fever. ■
