Fiji Stories
Fiji Stories
Ueeata Bureiman
We are seeing an increase in leprosy cases in Fiji. This is not unusual once an efficient contact screening system is being followed and awareness of the facts about leprosy becomes more widespread. In addition to these measures, a new skin clinic has opened in Nadi, making access to medical advice easier in the west of the main island (Viti Levu).
One leprosy case recently diagnosed in Nadi was a woman called Ueeata Bureiman who is 36 years old. She comes from Rabi Island – a small island to the east of Vanua Levu. Ueeata was admitted to Twomey Hospital in Suva to establish her treatment regime. As you can see in the photos, her leprosy is quite advanced, and she runs the risk of developing disabilities caused by her leprosy.
The signs of leprosy on Ueeata’s face, hands and feet show how high the bacterial load is, a big risk for disabilities such as lack of feeling in her hands and feet, possible deterioration of facial nerves affecting her ability to open and close her eyes and disintegration of the bridge of her nose.
Dr Api’s Outreach Program
Dr Api is a very experienced leprosy consultant who now works under contract for the Fiji Ministry of Health. He recently travelled to Labasa to visit one of the leprosy patients and their family there. Lambasa is in the North Eastern province, on the northern island of Vanua Levu. He went to the house of Kamla Pradeep who continues to suffer effects from past active leprosy, and had recently returned from a stay in Twomey hospital for treatment for swelling and pain in her left hand joints. Kamla has a new room at the back of their house with an integrated toilet and shower room which is much more accessible for her as she relies on crutches and a wheelchair to move around.
News of Solomoni
From Lambasa, Dr Api travelled back to Viti Levu to visit some of the patients near Nadi. He was joined by Dr Temea, who is studying in Suva before rejoining the leprosy team in Kiribati.
On their travels, they visited Solomoni who has recently completed his 12 month leprosy treatment. They found him selling green coconuts to passers by, looking healthier and happy.
Statue of St Joseph receives a very special visit
In May 2023 we told the story of a wooden statue of St Joseph which had been moved from Twomey Hospital to stand in the chapel of the SMSM convent in Suva. The statue was created by Sven Ortquist whilst he was a patient on Makogai Island. When Makogai leprosarium was closed, it was shipped to stand in a bure at Twomey Hospital.
Recently, two daughters of Sven Ortquist, Esther and Helmy, contacted our Fiji representative, Kathey Foi as they were travelling to Fiji and wanted to find out more about their father’s time on Makogai. Esther travelled from Wellington with her niece, and her younger half-sister Helmy (who was celebrating her recent 50th birthday) flew in from Seattle.
Kathey reported that it was an emotional moment when they saw their father’s work – Helmy had no memories of his carvings, but Esther remembered her father in hospital and his carvings. The sisters were unable to visit Makogai island but Kathey, who is completing her history masters thesis on Makogai, was able to give them a lot of information .
