Page 22 - IB FEB 2018

Health

Diabetes’ a big killer in Fiji

our bodies.” “Three things have changed in the
“The lifestyle is getting worse, and we country, which I believe has contributed
are receiving the medical consequences of to NCD,” he continued.
social issues.” “The eating style - changed from organic
He also shared that rates of violence, to processed food, drinking style – moved
particularly against women and children from water to juices, alcohol, yaqona, and
By Priya Chand
in Fiji are among the highest in the world. physical activity – we are not as active as
The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre reports we should be.”
DIABETES is the highest killer disease in 64 per cent of women who have ever President of Fiji, Jioji Konrote, who took
Fiji, making it the second highest country been in an intimate relationship have on an additional role of lead advocate and
in the world to record deaths from this non experienced physical or sexual violence champion of Fiji’s national campaign to
communicable disease. by a husband or intimate partner in their eliminate non-communicable diseases
Fiji’s Ministry of Health is leaving no lifetime. says the rates are alarming “but what
stones unturned as it look for solutions Dr Tukana said the escalating rate of vi- is more alarming is that our people are
to ease that health problem which they olence and injury was becoming an issue. neglecting the fact that diabetes, like all
feel has social and economic implications. The Ministry of Health, particularly in its other NCDs, is controllable.”
Fiji’s National NCD Advisor, Dr Isimeli wellness programme is now focusing on Speaking at the World Diabetes Day last
Tukana in an interview with Islands Busi- the psychological aspect of things. year, Konrote said it was well within peo-
ness said the recent statics on diabetes “We now use what we call motivational ple’s ability to choose a healthy lifestyle.
spoke volume of how tragic the disease intervention – we start with the changing “To eat fresh and healthy foods instead
is to the nation. the mindset, motivating people towards of processed foods, to stop smoking, to
“We started off in 1985 at 4 per cent, a positive, healthy and peaceful life,” he reduce our consumption of alcohol and
it went up to 16.5% in the 2002 survey explained. yaqona and exercise daily,” he added.
we did, and in 2011 we were at 15.6%,” “We need to move away from the kind “It is also why I am trying to lead by
he said. of counselling that talks down on people, example in exercising daily and planting
Dr Tukana shared that in addition to and we must empower Fijians through my own root crops and vegetables in my
common non communicable diseases like positivity, and partner with faith groups backyard.”
chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular (which we have already) to spread the Health concerns aside, NCD’s also
disease, diabetes and cancer, the medical message as faith plays an integral part pose significant development challenges,
fraternity have recently included mental on our culture.” impeding on the social and economic de-
health. “NCD in Fiji started around 1985, which velopment of the people and the country.
Dr Tukana explained the medical world means before 1985, it was not an issue; The leaders stress that the ministry has
has recognised and put mental health in if we had lived the way we lived then we been working to address the social deter-
the basket of NCDs. wouldn’t have this problem,” he said. minants and urge people and relevant or-
“When we talk about the mind, we talk He said while Fiji managed to “stall” ganisations to pitch in and work together
about how are we feeding the mind and the rate, lifestyle was still an issue that towards a healthier Fiji.
the level of stress that we undergo daily, needed to be addressed in order to see a
and we know that stress causes havoc on significant difference. r priyameyou@gmail.com

22 Islands Business, February 2018
22 Islands Business, February 2018