Despite evolving health priorities across the region, diabetes remains one of the leading causes of death in the Pacific and worldwide.
Diabetes Fiji executive director Kini Marawa has renewed calls for stronger public awareness, improved access to medication and the introduction of modern treatment options.
He said diabetes, particularly Type 1 diabetes, continued to be a silent but deadly condition affecting children, young people and families across Fiji.
“While we have noted that in terms of health, the Government’s priority is now HIV, diabetes still ranks highest in the Pacific and globally in terms of mortality,” Mr Marawa said.
“If you compare the statistics, HIV versus diabetes, diabetes remains significantly higher.”
Urgent need for awareness
Mr Marawa said one of the biggest gaps in Fiji’s health response was public understanding of Type 1 diabetes, a lifelong condition that required daily monitoring, insulin administration and continuous medical support.
“Type 1 diabetes is not caused by lifestyle choices. Many of our children are diagnosed very young, and they require lifelong care,” he said.
“This is why awareness is so important – not just for families, but also for schools, communities and workplaces.”
He said diabetes champions, parents and caregivers had become the backbone of Diabetes Fiji’s advocacy, often stepping in where resources were limited.
“Our champions and carers are on the frontline every day, supporting patients, sharing knowledge and helping families cope with the realities of this disease.”
Medication shortages burden patients
Access to essential medication remains a persistent challenge, particularly for Type 1 diabetes patients who rely on insulin to survive.
“That is something the organisation is very concerned about, the availability of diabetes medication in all public hospitals,” Mr Marawa said.
“Even today, we continue to see situations where Type 1 diabetes patients have to purchase their own insulin syringes because they are not always provided in public hospitals.”
He said the added costs placed significant financial strain on families already struggling to manage the long-term expenses associated with diabetes care.
When funding allowed, Diabetes Fiji stepped in to help.
“Through support from partner organisations, we are sometimes able to assist juvenile and Type 1 diabetes patients with insulin syringes and glucometers.”
“However, this support is not consistent and depends entirely on the resources available to us at the time.”
Fiji falling behind in technology
Mr Marawa said Fiji was also lagging behind in adopting modern diabetes technologies that had transformed patient care in many other countries.
“In many developing countries, diabetes care has progressed significantly, with the use of continuous glucose monitoring systems and insulin pumps,” he said.
“These technologies reduce complications and improve quality of life, especially for children.”
However, access to such technology remained limited in Fiji.
“Fiji is still behind in this area, and the question we continue to ask is – why?”
Mr Marawa said Diabetes Fiji continued to work with successive governments and stakeholders to advocate for improved access to modern treatment options.
“We are trying to bring these services to Fiji so that families at least have choices, particularly when it comes to managing diabetes in children.”
Funding the biggest challenge
The sustainability of Diabetes Fiji’s programmes, Mr Marawa said, depended heavily on funding, which remained the organisation’s biggest challenge.
“Funding has always been our greatest hurdle,” he said.
“We continue to reach out to generous donor partners, whether through financial contributions or in-kind support, to ensure our programmes can continue.”
He said consistent funding was critical not only for outreach and education, but also for supplying essential medical equipment to vulnerable patients.
Partnerships strengthen outreach
Mr Marawa acknowledged the ongoing support of corporate and community partners who continued to stand with Diabetes Fiji.
“We are grateful to partners such as Kontiki Finance and the Asco Motors Foundation, who continue to support our work and help us reach those most in need,” he said.
Last week, Kontiki Finance gave a vehicle to Diabetes Fiji to support its outreach program – a development Mr Marawa described as timely and impactful.
“This vehicle will allow us to reach patients who are unable to visit us, particularly those in remote and rural areas.
“It will strengthen our outreach services and help us deliver care, education and support directly to those who need it most.”
A call for collective action
Mr Marawa said tackling diabetes required a collective effort from government, health institutions, communities and partners.
“Diabetes is not just a health issue, it is a social and economic issue affecting families and communities across the country.
“If we want to save lives, especially the lives of our children, we must invest in awareness, access and innovation.”
