Doctors from Utah and Minnesota and students from Brigham Young University (operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) are screening Samoan children for rheumatic heart disease (RHD). In the eighth year of the program, Lori Allen, Program Director, Marvin R. Allen and Vuyisile Nkomo, both cardiologists, Nola Gidlow, a general practitioner in Samoa are caaying on the fight against rheumatic fever. They are joined by five sonographers, Robert Pugh, a cardiac ICU nurse, humanitarians Leslie and Marc Barkdull and their three sons, Brandon, Blake, and TJ, and 25 Brigham Young University (BYU) students, all spending two weeks screening more than 4,500 Samoan children in more than 15 primary schools throughout Samoa. The program is known as Rheumatic Relief.
The program (conceived by Lori Allen in connection with her doctoral dissertation) combines three disciplines: public health education, clinical diagnosis and genetic research to educate Samoan children and caregivers about the symptoms of rheumatic fever and diagnose those with RHD. Diagnosis results are shared with Samoan health agencies where follow-up treatment is available.
The prevalence of RHD in Samoa ranks among the highest in the world.
The Rheumatic Relief Program begins with songs and a puppet show to engage with the children and help them understand that if they have a sore throat they should tell their parents or teacher. Rheumatic fever begins as a sore throat (specifically strep throat) that can eventually result in RHD, where the valves of the heart are damaged. Untreated, RHD can result in the need for heart surgery or can even cause death.
When asked why he was involved in the project, Dr. Nkomo, head of the Valvular Disease Clinic at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, said he and Dr. Allen became acquainted when Dr. Allen was training there. When Dr. Allen contacted him and explained the project, he (Dr. Nkomo) understood the need and wanted to help with it because it is a uniquely effective approach to the problem of RHD. Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease are uncommon in highly-developed areas of the world, but are significant problems in under-developed countries.
Leslie, Marc, Brandon, Blake, and TJ Barkdull, none with medical backgrounds, joined the effort, providing books, pencils, hygiene kits and other items to the students following completion of their screening. Marc said that his interest in supporting the program was due to the deaths of his grandfather and aunt, both from RHD. Leslie’s interest was kindled by an ancestor, Edward James Wood, who served two missions to Samoa.
Rob Pugh is now in his third year in the program. During his first year he met a nine-year-old girl who was diagnosed with severe RHD. Since he then had a nine-year-old daughter, this girl’s plight dramatically impacted him and made him want to continue to be involved in the program. He has been invited back to participate each year since.
Approximately 75% of the BYU students participating in the program are pre-med students. To prepare for their internship, they all studied the Samoan language for two hours a week for four months before coming to Samoa. They receive six credit hours and valuable research experience for their efforts.
However, that isn’t the only reason the students participate in the program. When asked why she was willing to take two weeks out of her busy student life, Rachel Densley responded, “I would absolutely say the kids. They’re so grateful and so loving. We feel like we come and do this small service but they just pay us back so much in return. We’ll always be indebted to them no matter how much we do for them. They’re just so kind and loving.”
Another student, Lexi Stout added, “It’s honestly been the most amazing time I’ve had in my life. I wouldn’t trade this for anything. It’s the same work every single day, but for me it’s a brand-new experience, seeing the kids, being in the classroom with them. They just latch onto you.”
