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

Sue Woolfenden1,2, Kate Milner3,4, Kali Tora5

  • 1Population Child Health Group, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2031, Australia.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|February 9, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Fiji is enhancing care for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) through a collaborative model. This initiative strengthens local leadership and improves identification, assessment, and management of NDDs in children.

Area of Science:

  • Global Health
  • Developmental Paediatrics
  • Health Systems Strengthening

Background:

  • Supporting children with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) is a growing priority in Fiji.
  • Limited local capacity for specialized developmental paediatric care exists in the Pacific Island nation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the development of a care model for NDDs in Fiji.
  • To strengthen local leadership in developmental paediatrics.
  • To improve identification, assessment, and management of children with NDDs.

Main Methods:

  • Collaboration between Fijian paediatric staff and Australian paediatricians.
  • Continuing medical education through biannual clinic-based teaching.
  • Training of 15 local and regional paediatric trainees since 2010.
  • Establishment of a weekly local developmental clinic run by local trainees since 2015.

Main Results:

  • 370 children (0-18 years) with NDDs comprehensively assessed.
  • Model of care is being extended to two divisional hospitals.
  • Development of a local evidence base through research engagement.
  • Increased capacity in Fiji's health system to support children with NDDs.

Conclusions:

  • A sustainable model of care for NDDs has been established in Fiji.
  • Local leadership in developmental paediatrics has been successfully strengthened.
  • International collaboration has enhanced the Fijian health system's capacity for NDD support.

Keywords:
low and middle-income country (LMIC), Fiji, developmental paediatrics, neurodevelopmental disability (NDDs), children

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