About 50 per cent of people surveyed in the STEPS 2025 survey did not know they were living with diabetes, according to Diabetes Fiji executive director Kini Marawa.
“The survey found that only 46.5 per cent of people with diabetes were aware of their condition before the survey, meaning over half are walking a dangerous path without knowing it,” he said.
To make it even more alarming, he said, only five per cent of young respondents were aware they had the disease. He described the findings as unacceptable and said urgent changes were needed to prevent long-term complications among young Fijians.
“Early screening must be normalised, not stigmatised,” he said.
In response to the findings, he said, they were proposing that the health ministry develop a campus and workplace wellness certification program.
“Also, there should be mandatory, non-invasive health screenings during university orientation and within the first month of any new corporate employment.”
He said social media influencers and youth groups, such as young diabetes Fiji to help gamify wellness and make blood glucose monitoring a normal and empowering act.
“Normalise blood glucose monitoring as a cool act of self-love rather than a medical chore.”
The organisation is currently providing holistic support to 80 newly registered young people living with diabetes and is shifting away from purely clinical visits toward peer-led empowerment models.
He said they were building a community for what he calls “80 warriors” through peer support groups where they share experiences and reduce the isolation that often leads to poor treatment compliance.
“A diagnosis at age 20 is not just a physical challenge, it is a mental health challenge,” he said.
He said without urgent action to expand screening and awareness, many more young Fijians would continue to live with undiagnosed diabetes.
