Background/Purpose:
Pacific leaders have articulated addressing rheumatic heart disease (RHD) as a Pacific health priority. The Pacific bears a disproportionate RHD prevalence relative to its population size (1-3%), affecting young women and socio-economically marginalised groups. RHD begins as communicable Streptococcal A infections driven by environmental conditions and ends as a non-communicable disease.
Approach:
The Pacific RHD Program takes a dual approach to achieve the end of program outcomes of improving the capacity of Pacific countries to control RHD. Firstly, the development of a Fiji-based RHD Knowledge Hub will provide a sustainable centre point for RHD control programs across the region, acting as a hub for resources, technical expertise, knowledge-sharing, and meaningful linkages. Secondly, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands will be supported to develop locally-led RHD control programs overseeing strengthened awareness, early detection and management of RHD beginning centrally, using local learnings to inform expansion of the program systematically.
Significance:
This Program will address three key development issues. Firstly, the breadth of RHD necessitates a systems-wide response. Consequently, addressing RHD will have direct benefits, articulating the burden and disease management, with indirect benefits system benefits like improved laboratory/diagnostic capacity. Secondly, sustainable action on RHD requires a shift in control from internationally-led programs to sustainable, embedded, Pacific leadership with data sovereignty. Thirdly, people living with RHD and communities are under-represented in efforts to address RHD. Consciously engaging lived perspectives in decisions addressing RHD and creating linkages with First Nations lived experience is a key determinant of the success of the Pacific RHD Program.