Infectious disease experts from the Telethon Kids Institute, in Perth, Western Australia have spear-headed development of the first National Healthy Skin Guideline to address record rates of skin infections in Australia’s Indigenous communities.

Ahead of discussions on a Resolution, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released an updated report on Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease.

Last year, RHD Action awarded a small grant to Dr Tangeni Auala for a project entitled, "Namibian RHD Ambassadors Program Pilot". The Namibian RHD Ambassador program is a patient-driven awareness campaign that aims to empower People Living with Rheumatic Heart Disease (PLWRHD) by educating them about their disease so that they, in turn, can utilise their knowledge and skills to educate their families and communities about Rheumatic Fever (RF)and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD).  The Program also provides a platform for PLWRHD to advocate for their health needs.

Last year, the RHD Action Small Grants Program funded five projects in low-and-middle income countries across the globe to support groups who are already addressing the work of RHD and to bring the work of key RHD stakeholders under the RHD Action banner. Successful applicants were awarded $2,000 each to complete a small-scale project. Dr Amy Sanyahumbi’s project based in Lilongwe, Malawi is the last of the five 2017 winners profiled here on our website.