2024-03-23 21:39:39
Filariasis is still not eradicated in Polynesia. Even if the number of patients affected by this disease transmitted by mosquitoes has decreased, there are still some, particularly in Huahine where a treatment campaign began on Monday. It will last until March 28.
It’s a ritual in the life of Mathilde, a nurse. 3 times a week she visits her ten patients suffering from lymphatic filariasis, more commonly known as “elephantiasis”.
Marie (first name changed) has been one of his patients since the age of 30. “It had already been treated, but because I didn’t listen, I continued to go swimming in the sea, so it got worse. I had to escape to Tahiti to have an operation and my foot has been in this state ever since.”deplores this patient.
It’s not easy every day for her and for her family members, especially at mealtimes. Because she has to follow a special diet. “I have to prepare a steamed meal for her, for everything, without anything, neither salt nor sugar. It’s not easy for me to manage this with a wife who is sick…For my children I ‘at least try to deal with it’says her cousin.
Huahine remains one of the islands with active cases of elephantiasis, around ten recorded with sometimes quite young subjects. “I have had them throughout my career and unfortunately there are always…even among young people, more and more. I have the impression that this disease is present despite treatments, but it does not We must not give up because it is debilitating and painful.”notes Mathilde.
Treatment must be taken in front of agents of the Health Department. • ©Polynesia the 1st
In 2012, 87% of the population in fenua had received treatment against filariasis. That year there were 1,000 cases of elephantiasis in the territory. Today the health services are in Huahine. “We note good support from the population for the mass campaign, people say yes to us easily and are already well informed and ready, it is going very well”reports Doctor Jérôme Debacre of the Health Department.
Present on the island of Huahine since last Monday and again for 1 week, agents from the Health Directorate hope to cover the entire island.
After Huahine, they will be in Rikitea from April 24 to 29, 2024 to meet the population for the distribution and supervision of taking the treatment.
Hitimana’s report Who:
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