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

Author

Listed:
  • Sue Woolfenden

    (Population Child Health Group, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2031, Australia
    Department of Community Child Health, Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, Sydney 2031, Australia)

  • Kate Milner

    (Neurodevelopment & Disability, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne 3052, Australia
    Neurodisability & Rehabilitation Research & Melbourne Children’s Global Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, 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
    Department of Community Child Health, Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, Sydney 2031, Australia)

  • Joseph Kado

    (Department of Paediatrics, Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, Fiji
    Telethon Kids Institute, Perth 6009, Australia)

  • Ilisapeci Tuibeqa

    (Department of Paediatrics, Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, Fiji)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Sue Woolfenden & Kate Milner & Kali Tora & Kelera Naulumatua & Reapi Mataika & Fleur Smith & Raghu Lingam & Joseph Kado & Ilisapeci Tuibeqa, 2020. "Strengthening Health Systems to Support Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities in Fiji—A Commentary," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-11, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:3:p:972-:d:316496
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lia C. H. Fernald & Elizabeth Prado & Patricia Kariger & Abbie Raikes, 2017. "A Toolkit for Measuring Early Childhood Development in Low and Middle-Income Countries," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 29000, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Matthew Ellis & Puspa Raj Pant, 2020. "Global Community Child Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-3, May.

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