The Hon. Minister for Health and Medical Services
• The Chairman, Diabetes Fiji Inc
• Board Members and Board of Trustees
• President of the Fiji Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
• Fiji Mission USA Heads and Team
• Heads and Volunteers of 10,000 Toes
• Heads and Staff of the Hope Clinic
• Development Partners
• Private sector Representatives
• Government Representatives
• Friends, Partners and Invited Guests
Bula Vinaka, Namaste and a very good afternoon to you all.
Firstly, I would like to thank and acknowledge the invitation to be part of this year’s launching of the 2023 World Diabetes Day Celebration and the opening of the 5-days Wellness Expo. I understand that together we will also officially launch the Young Diabetes Wrist Band and Blue Pin Project initiatives.
I have made a point to make myself available as much as possible when it comes to engagements involving the health and wellbeing of our people. This is largely because I am genuinely keen to see our people live longer and happier lives as opposed to shortened lives or lives of struggle with a scourge that is actually within our own ability to control.
Therefore, I deem it an honour and great pleasure to be with you this morning to launch the World Diabetes Day, which I understand falls on 14 November each year.
It is reported that 1 in 10 adults worldwide have diabetes. Over 90% have type 2 diabetes. Close to half are yet to be diagnosed. For Fiji, diabetes alone causes one-fourth of all deaths, or about 1500 per year, the highest rate in the world.
This is very alarming! But what is more alarming is that our people are neglecting the fact that diabetes, like all other NCDs, is controllable. It is within our ability to choose a healthy lifestyle. To eat fresh and healthy foods instead of processed foods. To stop smoking, to reduce our consumption of alcohol and yaqona and exercise daily. We have shifted towards higher consumption of imported ultra-processed foods, and away from traditional diets based on fresh fish and produce.
The Ministry of Health reported that the effects of non-communicable diseases, cost the country US$591.41 million a year.
This motion points out the significant social, human and financial burden of this disease on government and health systems. We all have experienced and seen families that has been affected by this disease and the burden this disease has on the people with diabetes and on their families. After all, that is what we really are talking about—people. This is about people’s lives, people’s health and people’s families. The cost is huge and burdensome. And there are other costs too. There is time away from families, from work or school; that’s a huge cost. There are expensive medical interventions and daily medications; those are both financial and emotional costs.
We know the valuable and essential work that carers—be they family, friends or healthcare workers—do to help support those living with diabetes. This is absolutely invaluable work, and I want to take this time to thank all those carers for everything they do.
Fiji Government’s Support to combat NCDs
We cannot deny the fact that NCD in Fiji is an enormous concern for our nation, and we have to take significant action to combat these diseases. I’m pleased to say that in line with the Coalition Government’s direction, in its effort to control Non-Communicable Diseases, it has increased the domestic excise duty on alcohol and tobacco by 5%; also the domestic excise duty on carbonated or sugar-sweetened beverages is increased from 35 cents to 40 cents per liter. In addition, a corresponding increase to the import excise on the abovementioned items has been imposed.
Furthermore, a new excise duty on snacks and drinks will be imposed from 01 January 2024. This is a 40 cents per kg/liter domestic excise duty or 15% import excise duty will be imposed on products such as sweet biscuits, imported fruit juices, ice-cream, snacks obtained by roasting, frying, baking etc and sugar confectioneries.
The Health Sector was one of the Coalition Government’s key priority sectors in this financial year’s budget. The Ministry of Health and Medical Service is provided a significant budget of $453.7 million in the 2023-2024 Budget, an increase of $58.6 million from the last financial year’s budget. The Government is convinced that refocusing health services on Public Health Care will support in the building of a resilient health systems, tackle the current burden of NCD in the country which is the number one cause of premature death in Fiji and in-still a culture of wellness that empowers our communities towards a healthier population in Fiji. Of the budget allocated to the Ministry, an increased budget of $8.7 million is provided for Public Health Care services with an aim to achieve an increased preventative and primary health care outcomes by expanding outreach programmes, expanding community engagement initiatives and improving continuum of care and quality and safe standards.
The 2023 WDD Event
World Diabetes Day has become an annually recognized event signifying its importance and the need for more awareness and action. I’ve been told that this year’s theme for World Diabetes Day (WDD) is “Empowering Global Health” – global health empowerment encourages individuals to become more proactive in making decisions that focus on their health and well-being. This event aims to highlight the repercussions of unchecked diabetes on global health. By understanding its impact, we can formulate and develop strategies to combat the disease and ensure a healthier future for all. Diabetes remains a pivotal global health challenge and together we can unite to raise awareness on the effects of this disease and create a sense of change.
As reported by the Health Information Unit within the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, around 80% of deaths in Fiji are caused by NCD’s, one of which being the prevalence of diabetes.
Diabetes if left untreated may lead to leg or foot amputation, vision loss and kidney failure. However, early interventions and regular health checks -ups would ensure that diabetes if diagnosed can be managed effectively.
The Coalition Government, through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is fully committed towards improving our health systems through the development of effective and relevant strategies that encourages early-screening, treatment and better management of diabetes.
Additionally ladies and gentlemen as we are all aware, “prevention is better than cure”, therefore let us unite and disseminate the appropriate information to improve our vessel of knowledge in ensuring we become proactive in our fight against diabetes.
Over the years, Government has made significant investments targeting improvements in public health services which includes the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. However, we cannot fight this disease alone.
The presence of members from private sectors, non-government organisations, development partners and our health sector is evident of the need for a multi-sectorial collaboration and discussion on the development of policies aimed at advocating and the effective control of diabetes.
Dear friends, together with your support – our combined efforts in developing strategies and increased awareness would ensure that the right information is disseminated and made available for all of us to become more knowledgeable on the contributing factors leading up to diabetes.
The 2023 World Diabetes Day signifies an imperative call for action. Together as a nation, together as a community and together as a family, we can collectively address and mitigate the significant increase in diabetes within our economy. It all begins with us, our eating habits and our lifestyle choices has to change. We must be the change!!
The 5-day Wellness Expo therefore provides us the opportunity to become educated on the various health benefits regarding physical wellness, NCD prevention and control and most importantly – mental health. Through this expo, we are all given the opportunity to further educate ourselves and learn the progress of technological advancements and improvements made within our health sector that are targeted towards addressing and mitigating the impact of NCDs.
I do believe that there are also multiple health stations available for screenings. Personally, I would like to pay a visit to one of the health stations available for my own ease of mind.
Dear guests, I invite you all to take full advantage of the services and resources available here today. Let us use today as a platform for change – let us become more active in understanding the seriousness of diabetes and ensure we take the necessary measures to reduce its impact.
Lastly, I would also like to acknowledge and commend the ongoing efforts undertaken by NGOs, CSOs, development partners and the relevant stakeholders in the organisation of this annual event that targets national goals and objectives on health and well-being.
Let me reiterate and emphasise again OUR HEALTH IS OUR WEALTH.
With these words, I officially launch the 2023 World Diabetes Day celebration and the 5-Days Wellness Expo.
Thank you, Vinaka Vakalevu and Dhanyavaad.