More than 575 primary and secondary school children in the Yaqara region in Ra have been screened by trained doctors and nurses for early signs of heart defects.

The screening is part of a pilot project conducted by Fiji's Rheumatic Heart Disease Control and Prevention Programme (RHDCPP).

The FIJI Water Foundation is supporting the health programme dedicated to improving awareness and early identification of preventable heart defects in children and young adults.

Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is the most common heart disease in children and young adults globally.

"Recent data from Tonga and Fiji suggests the prevalence of the disease in school-aged children is the highest recorded in the world," Doctor Joseph Kado said.

"It translates to 40,000 children affected in the Pacific," he said.

Dr Kado is a pediatrician at Colonial War Memorial Hospital and supervisor of the programme.

He led the team that was in Vatukaloko this week.

Dr Kado explained that rheumatic heart disease is caused by rheumatic fever.

"It may begin as a simple streptococcus virus with symptoms such as persistent sore throat, sores, and tender joints," he revealed.

"If untreated, can develop into rheumatic fever and cause serious damage to the heart," he revealed.

In 2009, two teams of overseas volunteer heart surgeons operated on more than 100 locals, including numerous children, most of who suffer from rheumatic heart disease.

While the immense contribution by such groups is a wonderful gift to Fiji, the programme's director Frances Matanatabu stresses that prevention is always better than cure.

"The annual cost of a control and prevention programme Fiji-wide is equivalent to the cost of 1-3 surgery operations per year," she said.

"Unfortunately, while preventative treatment is now readily available in Fiji, detection around the country is still inadequate and many sick children are flying under the radar," she revealed.

FIJI Water Foundation's initial $90,000 contribution to the programme has gone towards the purchase of two sturdy, portable echocardiography machines.

The machines will be used throughout Fiji by specially trained nurses at annual health checks.

These machines are easily transportable and if necessary can be powered by a car battery- just what is needed to reach out to Fiji's rural areas.

Today, that work is beginning in FIJI Water's own backyard.

A team led by Dr Kado and Doctor Monika Brook of Lautoka Hospital are screening school-aged children at Rabulu Indian School, Drauniivi Primary, Naseyani Primary, and Vatukaloko Junior Secondary schools.

FIJI SUN, Saturday 14 November 2009

A statement from the Foundation revealed that so far, 30 children have been identified as showing early signs of rheumatic heart disease.

With proper monthly injections, however, these children should be able to lead long lives without the intervention of major surgery.

A statement from FIJI Water said it would like to acknowledge Cure Kids Fiji, the World Heart Foundation, and the Geneva Solidarity Fund for their support of the work of the programme.

"With support for this type of research and an aggressive prevention programme, Fiji will reduce the need for overseas heart surgeries for its children," the statement added.

"This will open up funding for other health programmes, and improving Fiji's health."