Strengthening Health Systems to Support Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities in Fiji—A Commentary

Sue Woolfenden, Kate Milner, Kali Tora, Kelera Naulumatua, Reapi Mataika, Fleur Smith, Raghu Lingam, Joseph Kado and Ilisapeci Tuibeqa
Additional contact information
Sue Woolfenden: Population Child Health Group, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2031, Australia
Kate Milner: Neurodevelopment & Disability, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne 3052, Australia
Kali Tora: Department of Paediatrics, Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, Fiji
Kelera Naulumatua: Department of Paediatrics, Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, Fiji
Reapi Mataika: Department of Paediatrics, Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, Fiji
Fleur Smith: Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3000, Australia
Raghu Lingam: Population Child Health Group, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2031, Australia
Joseph Kado: Department of Paediatrics, Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, Fiji
Ilisapeci Tuibeqa: Department of Paediatrics, Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, Fiji

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-11

Abstract: Supporting children with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) is recognized as an increasing priority in Fiji, a middle-income Pacific Island country. Our objective was to describe our approach to developing a model of care and strengthening local leadership in developmental paediatrics in Fiji to ensure high-quality identification, assessment and management of children with NDDs. Paediatric staff at Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital in Suva have worked in partnership with Australian paediatricians to develop the model of care. The platform of continuing medical education during biannual 3 to 4 days of clinic-based teaching with visiting developmental paediatricians from Australia has been used. Since 2010, there have been 15 local and regional paediatric trainees trained. Since 2015, our two local lead paediatric trainees have run a weekly local developmental clinic. In total, 370 children aged 0 to 18 with NDDs have been comprehensively assessed with a detailed history and standardised tools. The model is extending to two divisional hospitals. Research engagement with the team is resulting in the development of a local evidence base. Local, regional and international leadership and collaboration has resulted in increased capacity in the Fijian health system to support children with NDDs.

Keywords: low and middle-income country (LMIC); Fiji; developmental paediatrics; neurodevelopmental disability (NDDs); children (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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