HEALTH-seeking behaviour should be instilled in children and the population at large before diseases manifest.
This caution comes from Western Health Services Diabetes Hub acting Senior Medical Officer, Dr Unaisi Veilawa, who said most times people seek help after the disease has “shown itself”.
She said late detection was a major issue, often stemming from denial.
“Most of the time it’s the late detection because you have been told that you have diabetes, that you have high blood pressure, and you’re still in denial,” she said.
“One of the things we tell our clients, you need to accept the disease, that it’s with you.”
Dr Veilawa stressed the importance of a family-oriented and holistic approach to managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
“So, it’s not only an individual, it needs to be a family and a unit approach, and a holistic approach to how we tackle things.”
While awaiting the analysis of the latest NCD STEPS survey, Dr Veilawa anticipates the results will justify a greater focus on interventions at the primary healthcare level.
“I think we know that it’s not going to look good, but it actually will justify the need for us to really put more focus on interventions at the primary healthcare level where the resources really need to go.”
Dr Veilawa also highlighted the problem of patients being diagnosed with conditions like diabetes only after a complication such as an amputation, has occurred.
She underlined the critical need for public awareness regarding health risks, and warned of a very bleak future for younger generations if current trends continue.
“Information is very, very important, that we need to inform the public of what are the risk factors — they need to know.
“We are seeing now, a lot of young people coming in. Not only that, the late detection of disease at a complicated state where we cannot reverse it.”
Dr Veilawa said mental health and the stigma associated with diseases were also barriers to seeking help.
“One thing we should know, we should not think about the stigma anymore because it’s about our health. It’s the decision that I make.”
“We need to make it right for our children. So we need to start (our work) not only in school students but the younger ones.”
Cardiovascular diseases ‘number one killer’
THE number one killer among NCDs is cardiovascular diseases, says Western Health Services Diabetes Hub acting Senior Medical Officer Dr Unaisi Veilawa.
Dr Veilawa said diabetes and cardiovascular diseases were linked.
According to the World Heart Federation website, 2815 Fijians died because of cardiovascular diseases in 2021.
“If you look at the cause of cardiovascular disease, it’s mostly because of diabetes so, diabetes and hypertension, they coexist together,” she said.
“You have diabetes, you have cancer, and then you have chronic respiratory diseases. But NCDs altogether, 80 percent of our deaths.
“If you look at the NCD-related deaths, not only top mortality, morbidity, meaning amputations, and it decreases the lifespan of a person.”
Dr Veilawa said many medical workers were waiting for the NCD STEPS survey to be released with updated data.
“We are receiving people at a young age.
For me, because I work at the Diabetes Hub, we’re having an influx of people now at the age of 20s, 30s that are coming with type 2 diabetes, and that’s preventable.”’
Dr Veilawa said these patients were presenting with complications.
“One of the things that we need to understand is that NCDs like diabetes, it doesn’t show itself. So, without regular checks, you won’t know that you have the disease.
“So it doesn’t mean that you don’t have it, but what is your risk of getting it in 5 to 10 years down the line. Younger people need to be very aware. We have overweight and obesity in young children.”
Dr Veilawa said there may be another surge of obesity over the next two decades.
“We’re having young people with kidney disease. There’s so much we’re spending at the curative side, but why are we not inputting our approach on prevention when we can be saving a lot of money for other proactive course of prevention here.”
‘More males die from NCDs’
THE average life span between males and females may differ in Fiji, however unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle choices are leading to an increase in deaths among males, says Western Health Services Diabetes Hub acting Senior Medical Officer Dr Unaisi Veilawa.
“In 2021, the average lifespan of a person in Fiji was 67,before it was 72,” Dr Veilawa said.
“But it differs among females and males, now, more males are dying than females.
“The average for females is around 71 or 72, but males are lower. So, a lot of our males are dying younger.”
Dr Veilawa said traditional practices also played a part in this.
“In the family, if you see the order of eating as well, who eats first? The dad, then you see the children, then the mum. In a village setting, if you have a big soqo (function), who eats first — the males.
“Then you see in church settings, the males eat first. “ Dr Veilawa said lack of physical activities also helped increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases among males.
“It’s not about what we put on the plate, it’s what we’re telling our fathers, not only should they be sitting and eating, but they need to be active as well.
“Before, our grandparents, they lived until 80 or 90, but now our fathers are dying in their 60s. Before, you won’t see the males sitting down at home, you won’t see our brothers, or our uncles sitting, they would be in the farm.”
“The primary cause of cardiovascular disease is diabetes, and diabetes affects every organ in your body.
“It’s the number one cause of amputation in Fiji and the number one cause of blindness in Fiji.”
5700 deaths in 2020
IN the year 2020 alone, an astounding 5700 Fijians died of NCD-related causes, with diabetes and heart diseases claiming lives too soon, says Western Health Services Diabetes Hub acting Senior Medical Officer Dr Unaisi Veilawa.
She told the launch ceremony of the JP Bayly Trust’s NCD program, that the figures were a powerful call to action.
She said the economic burden of NCDs extended far beyond healthcare costs.
“It impacts household finances, particularly the low- and middle-income earning families.”
Dr Veilawa said studies indicated NCDs posed a significant financial burden on households and families for treatment and care alone.
“This can lead to catastrophic health expenditures, pushing the vulnerable household deeper into poverty and perpetuating an inter-generational cycle of disease and deprivation.
“Let us all pledge our unwavering support to this vital program and continue to champion the cause of NCD prevention and control in every corner of our communities.”
Dr Veilawa said a shared purpose and concerted effort would help turn the tide against the crisis and cultivate a healthier, more resilient, and a more prosperous Fiji for current and future generations.