An island challenge by Banaban Health Nurse

[Stacey King]

FIJI TIMES ONLINE By Geraldine Panapasa Monday, September 20, 2010

PUBLIC health nurse Tawita Maibintebure believes taking child care health awareness out to communities in rural areas is an effective way to ensure children are well-looked after.

Originally from Ocean Island, the Rabi Island resident has been posted to Rotuma Hospital for one and a half years as a public health nurse.

"In 2009, I was posted to Rotuma and was transferred to do public health," he said.

"On Rotuma, its quite challenging because you're looking after the school students, mothers and family planning.

"When you look at the island, its a very rich island. There are a lot of local foods and produce.

"But they have to know when to give it, how to give it and which one is best for their children.

"They need nutritional education. We are there now to talk about health."

The 26-year-old says regular visits to the seven districts on the island have boosted health awareness programs.

He said some families could not afford to travel to the hospitals daily for health check-ups so taking the service out to the community was very effective in delivering health messages.

"We extended the health screening for the rheumatic heart diseases. We identified a lot of cases and refer them to Colonial War Memorial Hospital.

"They are back and on treatment. I normally go out into the different districts.

"We take the hospital services out to the community. We also want to teach them that they must take responsibility for their health.

"Most of them are thinking of the treatment but what they can do is think about what causes them to have the sickness."

He said education was the main tool in public health. He said early detection of children illnesses is very important.