The roads in the capital came to a standstill today giving way to the Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) Awareness March led by the Fiji Navy Band and the Chief Surgeon for the Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MHMS). 

Joined by hundreds more the procession began from the Flea Market at 10am and ended at the Civic Centre. Representatives from stakeholder organizations, other Government Ministries, students from several schools around Suva and MOHMS staff were part of the procession.

What the march represented was a call to action to the people of Suva and ultimately to the whole of Fiji that now is the time to act.  Prior to the march, the team had been appearing on national TV as well as on the daily newspapers to call people’s attention to RHD, its symptoms and its dangers to young Fijians.

At the Civic Centre, there was a short program to formally declare the celebrations and echo the message of World Heart Day in recommitting ourselves to the fight to end RHD in Fiji.  Also featured at the program were stories and experiences from People Living With Cardiovascular disease, Free Heart Screening