Fiji Government Pledges Stronger Lupus Response Through Training and Awareness

The Fiji Government has committed to strengthening the national response to lupus by training frontline health workers in early detection and management of the disease.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka made the announcement at the annual Dancing with Lupus fundraising dinner in Suva tonight, where he emphasized the Government’s dedication to improving care, raising awareness, and expanding access to treatment for lupus patients across the country.

“Lupus may be invisible to the naked eye, but the pain, fatigue, cost of treatment, and emotional burden are all too real,” said PM Rabuka.

As part of this commitment, the Government will equip nurses, medical specialists, and related healthcare professionals with the skills to recognize and respond to lupus symptoms early—an approach aimed at intercepting the illness before it escalates.

The Prime Minister also announced plans to incorporate lupus into Fiji’s national strategies on non-communicable diseases (NCDs), wellness programs, and chronic disease frameworks, ensuring it is no longer overlooked in mainstream health discussions.