News
The project seeks to improve clinical management and prevention of diabetes in Fiji
27.3.2020
Objectives & approach According to tthe WHO the mean body mass index in Fiji for males is close to 27 kg/m2 and above 29 kg/m2 for females. Non-communicable diseases are estimated to account for 77 % of all deaths in Fiji and in 2008 a total of 65 % of the total population was estimated to be overweight and 30 % to be obese. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimated 10.5 % of the adult population to have diabetes resulting in more than 1,000 deaths a year in 2012 and furthermore 143,000 people are estimated to be living with undiagnosed
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Diabetes Fiji to build more foot clinics
04.3.2020
In a bid to encourage early treatment of diabetic foot problems, Diabetes Fiji is planning to diversify its clinics in the Central and Western Division. Project Manager Viliame Qio says their priority areas include the greater Suva and Nausori corridor as well as the Nadi to Lautoka areas. Qio adds there have been a lot of amputations in these areas. “Eighty percent of our health facilities in Fiji now have foot-care services in their health facilities. These foot-care services, one is the assessment of the feet to detect the problem and secondly is the early treatment of diabetic foot-problems”. He
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Fijians urged to make healthy choices to prevent diabetes
14.11.2019
Prevention is critical for decreasing diabetes rates and the risk of developing NCDs can be lowered by Fijians making healthy choices for themselves and their families. This was highlighted by the Speaker of the Fijian Parliament His Excellency Sir Ratu Epeli Nailatikau while launching the World Diabetes Day and the Diabetes Fiji 2020-2030 Strategic Plan at the USP AusAID Lecture Theatre this morning. “The theme for this year’s world diabetes day is “Family and Diabetes”. This is indeed a timely reminder of the impact that diabetes has not just on the patient, but also on the family. On the one
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Diabetes Fiji launch 10-year strategic plan
14.11.2019
THE Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, today officially launched the Diabetes Fiji Inc Strategic Plan 2020 to 2030 at the University of the South Pacific(USP) in Suva. The launch coincided with World Diabetes Day celebrations marked every year on November 14. Speaking at the event, Ratu Epeli said type two diabetes was more common than type one but it was more easily avoided if the correct healthy lifestyle was adopted. “There are also many people in Fiji living with diabetes who may not even know it because they do not have the symptoms or that they do not even
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Pacific News Minute: Fiji Struggles To Move From Treatment To Prevention Of Diabetes
18.7.2019
An estimated 60,000 Fijians have diabetes, and as many as half don’t know it. Doctor Eddie McCaig, Professor of surgery at Fiji’s National University, told RNZ Pacific that many people ignore early signs like thirst and excessive urination. And, by the time they do see a doctor, it’s too late. “We have no option but to cut the limb off,” he said. In addition, diabetes leads to eye surgery for cataracts and retinopathy, and to kidney problems that require dialysis. “About 900 cases each year,” Dr. McCaig said. “And in Fiji, that’s very expensive, about 35 million dollars on the kidney alone.
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