Non Communicable Diseases are of epidemic proportions in the global community. The Pacific Region is experiencing its fair share of obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and other cardiac diseases.
In Fiji, just under 20 per cent of the population are hypertensive, yet most do not know and likewise 16 per cent of the population are diabetic without any knowledge of their condition and as such do not practice appropriate care.
Only 50 per cent of diabetics know their condition and 10 per cent are in adequate control.
Despite the provision of medication, advise on active lifestyles with diet, reduction of alcohol and tobacco indicate a gloomy picture.
Individuals continue to deny they are suffering from diabetes and resort to all sorts of traditional measures without results.
Too many patients continue to fool health care providers by turning up to clinic and lying about their control of sugar.
Some double their doses of medicine before clinic appointments, turn up fasting and alter their records.
The end result is that in many cases we are losing productive individuals to complications of diabetes mellitus and hypertension.
Kidney end stage disease is only cared for by dialysis and transplants.
Dialysis in Fiji has been provided by the Kidney Foundation of Fiji (KFOF). The Government grants to KFOF are intended for use on poor patients for a three month period with the view to progressing them to renal transplant if they can afford it overseas.
There are ongoing financial investigations by the Government of Fiji into the operations of KFOF.
The funding model in use is not the reason why treatments are as expensive as $200/cycle.
If the model was utilized according to the agreements in place the price structure would have been much more affordable in the past.
Citizens of Fiji are advised to eat in moderation, locally grown food low in fats and oils.
Exercise regularly, plant your own vegetables, root crops and fruit in your backyard gardens.
Reduce your grog, alcohol intake and stop smoking tobacco products.
As a nation we are becoming obese, physically unhealthy and developing hypertension and diabetes mellitus.
The complications of these diseases lead us to end stage kidney and heart diseases. We are dying prematurely.
Non Communicable and Lifestyle Diseases was discussed at the 1st Ministerial Conference in Moscow, Russia recently.
A Ministry of Health Forum and Multiple stakeholder workshop will follow shortly in preparation for the UN-sponsored high level meeting in New York, USA on September 19 and 20 this year.
Further clarification please contact Mr Peni Namotu, Health Ministry Media Liaison Officer @ Ph: 3221 402, Cell: 9405405, Fax: 3306163