Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is estimated to be responsible for 80 per cent of deaths and about 30 to 40 per cent of premature deaths in Fiji, says Ministry of Health permanent secretary Dr Jemesa Tudravu.
He said it was estimated that 40 per cent of all health spending was utilised for NCD where Fiji loses over $400million annually in productivity because of the resources and lives lost to NCDs.
“Fiji is ranked 39 of the 183 countries in the world in fatalities from heart diseases,” Dr Tudravu said.
“The three main leading causes of heart diseases in Fiji is raised blood pressure, high blood sugar and being overweight.
“The STEPS survey conducted in 2002 and 2011 in Fiji, revealed that the average body max index (BMI) increased from 26.8 in 2002 to 27.9 in 2011.
“Those who are overweight or obese with a BMI graded at 25 kilograms per litre squared, in the surveys it increased from 58.5 in 2002 to 66.9 in 2011.
“The percentage of those obese graded at 30 kilogram per metre squared, it increased from 23.6 in 2002 to 32.1 in 2011, so we’ve got some challenges ahead of us.”
He said a number of important initiatives that the Government has undertaken in the past years such as raising excise tax on sweeter and sugar beverages as well as raising taxes on tobacco and alcohol will contribute to the weight reduction and people accessing NCDs promoting products.
“We need to keep that momentum going,” he said.
“In February this year, Government has endorsed the health catering deadline for government ministries and institutions to help improve healthy eating in government facilities and institutions.”
