The revelation that Diabetes Fiji has called for an urgent nationwide response after new data revealed diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are reaching unprecedented levels across the country is a major concern.
That and the fact that diabetes is increasingly affecting younger Fijians should attract attention. It is a worry.
We have lived with the fact that we have really bad figures when it comes to diabetes, and it makes sense that there should be concern.
In fact, we should be pulling out all stops and getting down to the business of prevention, or in our case right now, slowing the trend and appropriately dealing with them.
Speaking on the findings of the 2025 Fiji NCD STEPS Survey, Diabetes Fiji executive officer Kini Marawa said the latest figures should be treated as a wake-up call for government, businesses, civil society, sporting organisations and faith-based groups.
He spoke about tackling NCDs, which he believes cannot be left to the health sector alone. It is about roping in government bodies, corporate entities, civil society organizations, sports federations, and faith-based institutions to work on a united front against NCDs.
Diabetes prevalence has climbed to between 16.5 and 17 per cent, up from 14.6 per cent in 2011. The survey also found that 98.5 per cent of adults aged 18 to 69 have at least one risk factor for NCDs, while almost half live with three or more. More than 68 per cent of adults are overweight or obese, with obesity affecting 40 per cent of the population, the majority of them women. Hypertension affects 36.6 per cent of Fijians, yet almost half of those living with the condition did not know they had it.
The survey also highlights lifestyle challenges. Only 21 per cent of adults eat the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Meanwhile, 30 per cent smoke, 49 per cent consume alcohol and 56 per cent drink kava, with men accounting for most of these behaviours.
Even more concerning is the impact on young people. Diabetes is no longer a disease associated only with older adults. Cases have been diagnosed in children as young as one year and seven months, while 4.7 per cent of those aged 18 to 29 are already living with the disease. The findings also reveal gaps in diagnosis and treatment. Diabetes contributes to more than two-thirds of end-stage kidney failure cases and more than a quarter of sight-threatening diabetic eye disease. An amputation takes place roughly every eight and a half hours, while heart attacks linked to diabetes account for almost half of cardiac admissions and contribute to seven deaths each day.
We have a major challenge on our hands. Clearly there has to be a lot of soul-searching and a serious rethink of the way we live. We need to focus on our eating habits, particularly as processed foods become part of children’s diets at an early age. The digital age has brought convenience, but it has also encouraged more sedentary lifestyles. The challenge for us all is to make positive changes, from choosing healthier meals to making physical activity part of our daily routine. Modern technology has improved our quality of life, but we say it should never replace the need to move, eat wisely, manage stress and care for our wellbeing.
Ultimately, we say the fight against NCDs requires discipline, commitment and the courage to make better choices every day. Families, schools, workplaces, communities and leaders all have a role to play. Good health and a good future will depend on the choices we make today.
