- HEALTH LAUNCHES NEW GUIDELINES – The Ministry of Health and Medical Services launched the third edition of the cardiovascular therapeutic guidelines to manage heart and stroke disease.
- HEALTH FINALISES LEPTOSPIROSIS ACTION PLAN – The Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MoHMS) would be formulating a Leptospirosis Action Plan 2016-2020 due to its high morbidity and mortality rate, compared to other communicable diseases.
- HEALTH LAUNCHES NEW GUIDELINES
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services launched the third edition of the cardiovascular therapeutic guidelines to manage heart and stroke disease.
The Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services, Dr Meciusela Tuicakau while launching the Guidelines at Devos on the Park today said cardiovascular disease is the number one cause for premature mortality in Fiji.
“The development of a standard guideline is important to ensure consistent treatment of all patients in the country. This new edition incorporates the non-pharmacological aspects of treatment of cardiovascular diseases to provide the reader with comprehensive treatment options for the patients,” PS Tuicakau said.
“This document will be a useful guide for both public and private health workers in caring for cardiovascular suffers.”
Dr Tuicakau said health and medical services care cannot alone solve cardiovascular disease and needs a whole of government and multisector approach.
- HEALTH FINALISES LEPTOSPIROSIS ACTION PLAN
The Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MoHMS) would be formulating a Leptospirosis Action Plan 2016-2020 due to its high morbidity and mortality rate, compared to other communicable diseases.
A two day meeting held at Novotel Suva gathered health practitioners to formulate an action plan for Leptospirosis as a priority communicable disease for the Ministry.
An average of 420 laboratory-confirmed cases and 42 deaths have been reported each year from 2012-2014. The aim of the meeting was to strengthen the efforts to reduce the burden of Leptospirosis in Fiji.
Deputy Secretary Public Health, Dr Eric Rafaai said the meeting would also review the findings of existing research programs and identify outputs that can be used to develop interventions and review ongoing and proposed research activities.
“Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that affects humans and animals. It is caused by the genus Leptospira. Some symptoms include high fever, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and rash,” Dr Rafaai said.
The two day meeting will have consultations between representatives from government and local ministries, private agricultural enterprise, non-government organisations, SPC and WHO to develop and implement a national strategy for the control of leptospirosis in Fiji.