Diabetes Fiji has criticised the Government’s funding priorities, claiming the country’s biggest public health crisis continues to be overlooked despite repeated calls for greater investment in the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Executive officer Kini Marawa said the organisation was disappointed that its budget submissions and requests for financial assistance had failed to secure dedicated government funding.
“Diabetes Fiji expresses profound disappointment in the current policy trajectory, which continues to relegate NCDs – our nation’s greatest public health crisis – to a secondary concern,” Mr Marawa said.
“Despite our relentless advocacy, active participation in national budget consultations, and submission of comprehensive, data-driven budget proposals year after year – including throughout the recent financial year – our requests for dedicated financial support have continuously been overlooked and left unaddressed by the government.”
Mr Marawa questioned the Government’s priorities, arguing that economic development could not be sustained without a healthy population.
“Why is public health continually treated as a secondary priority when 80 per cent of our mortality is driven by NCDs? Healthcare must be the primary priority, not an afterthought.”
He also expressed concern that no dedicated budget allocation had been provided to civil society organisations supporting the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.
“Diabetes Fiji notes with concern that the government has failed to allocate a dedicated budgetary line to civil society organisations that directly support the Ministry of Health and Medical Services on the frontlines.”
Despite the funding concerns, Mr Marawa said Diabetes Fiji continued to deliver its Primary Healthcare Screening Program with support from corporate partners, donor agencies and the ministries of Health and Women.
He said the organisation’s focus extended beyond community screening to ensuring patients remained connected to treatment and care through close collaboration with the Health Ministry.
