DIABETES Fiji has called on the Government to provide insulin syringes as part of the public health treatment package, warning that children with Type 1 diabetes should not have to rely on their parents’ ability to pay for life-saving medical supplies.
In a Fiji Day appeal, Diabetes Fiji executive director Marawa Kini said while the Government continued to provide insulin through the public health system, families faced the recurring cost of purchasing syringes needed to administer the medication.
He said 98 active members were currently supported through its Young Diabetes Fiji Programme across the Central, Western and Northern divisions while previous programme recorded between 2020 and 2023 included about 500 children and young people.
“For a child with Type 1 diabetes, insulin is not a luxury, and a syringe is not an accessory,” Mr Kini said.
“They are part of the same life-saving treatment. Providing one without ensuring access to the other leaves an unnecessary gap in care.”
He urged the Government and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to treat insulin syringes as an integral part of treatment, beginning with children and other vulnerable patients.
The call came as Fiji steps up its response to other national health challenges, including HIV, with Diabetes Fiji questioning whether the same urgency could be extended to people living with diabetes.
“When Fiji identifies an urgent national challenge, we have demonstrated that legislation can move, resources can be mobilised, partnerships can be formed and systems can respond.
“We are respectfully asking for that same national resolve to be brought to diabetes.”
He stressed that the appeal was not intended to undermine support for people living with HIV or those affected by drug dependence.
