FIJI PARTICIPATES AT ‘UNITED TO END RHD’ SIDE EVENT IN THE MARGINS OF THE WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY

26/05/2018

Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) Action and its partners hosted an exciting and interactive side event - ‘United to End RHD’, on Wednesday 23rd May at the Graduate Institute in Geneva, Switzerland prior to government discussions at the Seventy-first session of the World Health Assembly on a Resolution on Rheumatic Fever (RF) and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD).

The high-level event co-sponsored by the governments of New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Namibia, focused on the impact of a Resolution on RF and RHD on those who matter most: people living with RHD and frontline health workers delivering essential RHD services.

Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other Organisations in Geneva, Ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan was among a range of diverse panellists for this event which included people living with RHD and frontline health works from around the world; the Honourable. Dr Clark, Minister of Heath of New Zealand; H.E. Bernard Haufiku, Minister of Health and Social Services of the Republic of Namibia; Professor Brendan Murphy, Chief Medical Officer, Australia; and representatives from the RHD Action Partners.

Ambassador Khan highlighted the Pilot activity by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services which seeks to train school nurses on the early detection of RHD in primary schools. This is the first of such an initiative that integrates RHD screening into an existing school outreach programme which the world can learn from. Ambassador Khan also highlighted the importance of ensuring a collaborate approach with inclusive and innovative partnerships as a key ingredient in addressing RHD challenges.

Also in attendance was Ms Buli Wainiqolo of Fiji, who shared her experience on RHD and the barriers on access to treatment and lack of awareness. Ms Wainiqolo sent a strong message for the need to encourage and empower persons with RHD to come forward and share their stories.

The interactive discussions at the side event raised many issues concerning the impact of the Resolution on RF and RHD and its implementation. Discussions also centred on the challenges faced by many countries in tackling RHD, the tools available to better address RHD, and how such challenges can be overcome.

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