More Measures to Reduce Disabling Conditions: Expert

Arehabilitation specialist from Australia says that there needs to be more proactive measures to minimise the effects of disabling conditions. Dr Tracey Symmons, a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) and Rehabilitation Medicine specialist was speaking to participants of the 5th Annual Scientific Conference at the Peninsula International Hotel in Suva yesterday.

The two-day conference is facilitated by Internal Medicine Organisation of the Pacific.

“And to limit the impact of these conditions on the lives of people living in the Pacific,” Dr Symmons said.

She noted that a tidal wave of non-communicable diseases had been sweeping the region which resulted in individuals losing limbs, sustaining strokes and becoming weaker from cancer and respiratory

The two-day conference is a wonderful platform that will allow participants to collaborate, share information, ideas and experience, and plan the best way forward to strengthen and support positive development.

diseases.

“The region also experiences conditions rarely seen in resource rich settings, such as Potts disease, tuberculosis, meningitis, leprosy, tetanus, effects from neonatal sepsis and limited antenatal care, and effects of rising road related trauma in a setting that has few mechanisms for injury reduction.” The Minister for Health and Medical Services Rosy Akbar commended the organisation for facilitating the event.

“The Fijian Government has committed to have a barrier-free society in Fiji through legislations which provide equal rights to all women and men with disabilities and is working hard with ministries and agencies to see that all Fijians are recognised and respected,” she said.

“The two-day conference is a wonderful platform that will allow participants to collaborate, share information, ideas and experience, and plan the best way forward to strengthen and support positive development.”