Over 1,000 children referred for eye and ear treatment each year

More than 1,000 children in Fiji are identified each year with serious vision or hearing problems during school screenings, raising concerns about a largely hidden health issue that can affect learning and long-term wellbeing.

The figures were revealed by Project Heaven Trust (PHT), one of the country’s longest-running non-governmental organisations, which conducts eye and ear screenings in public schools nationwide.

PHT Trust Board director Emma Ragg Newland said most children diagnosed with issues were referred to local health clinics for further treatment.

Project Heaven Trust Board Director, Emma Ragg Newland on January 23, 2026.

Photo: Talei Roko

“We screen children from Year One right through to Year 12 in all public schools across Fiji,” Ms Newland said.

“When a child is found to have an eye or ear condition, they are referred to the nearest health clinic, and our team follows up to ensure the child has been seen, medication is taken correctly and their condition is improving.”

She said access to eye and ear health services remained a major challenge, particularly in rural and remote areas where clinics were limited.

Undetected vision and hearing problems, she said, could affect a child’s ability to learn, communicate and thrive later in life.

Since its establishment more than 25 years ago, Project Heaven Trust has screened more than 200,000 children across Fiji.

Ms Newland said the organisation regularly exceeded 1,000 referrals a year, highlighting the importance of early detection.

“Our numbers show just how critical early screening is for children’s health and education,” she said.

PHT’s work aligns with Fiji’s trachoma policy, which focuses on preventing eye infections that can lead to blindness.

The trust operates Central and Western teams led by registered audiometrists, who often travel long distances to reach schools, sometimes staying in communities for weeks.

“One of our biggest challenges is simply getting to the schools, especially in remote areas,” Ms Newland said.

She said the introduction of a mobile clinic bus would help improve access, allowing the trust to reach adults and elderly people who struggled to attend health facilities.

Project Heaven Trust also operates a public clinic at Toomey Hospital in Suva, providing affordable eye and ear screenings.

The organisation continues to work closely with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to deliver preventive care nationwide.