The Ministry of Health is encouraging families around the country to contact dietitians at their nearest health facilities to get in dept information on nutrition and balanced diet.
Minister Dr Neil Sharma made this call after noticing a need for dietitians to train families including women on ways to have a proper diet.
The Health Minister said that this will greatly assist authorities in combating non communicable diseases which accounts for 80 per cent of deaths in Fiji.
“Our dietitians can hold cooking demos for mothers as well as those organizations who need it. The cooking demonstration will include ways to prepare healthy meals using local produce with less sugar and salt content”, Dr Sharma said.
“The Ministry will also demonstrate how to eat same meals but in a much healthier way. Public need to know the amount of oil, salt and sugar they have to use during cooking to decrease risks of Cardiovascular disease, High blood pressure, Diabetics and Kidney failure”, he added.
“We also need to ensure that children are nurtured in such a manner that when they grow up they are disease free and live a healthier life. Mothers should see that their children go to school with lunch box and with healthier foods inside”.
Dr Sharma also called on parents to avoid giving money to children to buy junk food from canteens.
“Parents should play an active role in ensuring that children don’t eat junk food or drink sugary drinks which will have a long term effect on their health. We should act now to ensure our children are NCD free,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Second Steps survey by World Health Organization in 2011 revealed that one out of every three Fijians have Diabetes. Previously it was one out of five.
The Ministry has also called upon relevant stakeholders, NGO’s, faith based organizations and individuals to work with government to avoid premature deaths from NCDs.
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