FIJIANS are dying very early and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is the major contributing factor, says former president of Fiji College of General Practitioners Dr Rajesh Maharaj.
“A significant proportion of deaths occur in people less than 50 years old and it is alarming to see deaths in young people in their 20s and 30s,” Dr Maharaj said.
Dr Maharaj said the cause of this health crisis was unhealthy diet such as processed meat, ultra processed food, sugar and sugary drink and refined carbohydrates such as white rice and white bread.
“Other related factors are sedentary lifestyles, smoking, alcohol, lack of exercise and late night kava drinking leading to sleep deprivation.”
He said about 80 per cent of deaths in Fiji were from NCDs, with many occurring during people’s most productive years.
“NCD is a serious health concern in Fiji.
“Eighty per cent of the deaths in Fiji are from NCDs, and the major concern is that people are dying from NCD-related diseases at a very young age.
He said Fiji needed a major shift in eating habits, warning that diets high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, fried and ultra-processed foods were contributing to poor health.
Dr Maharaj identified hypertension, smoking, high cholesterol, poor diet and lack of exercise as key NCD risk factors, alongside alcohol and kava consumption.
He said Fijians should turn to locally available foods including whole grains, vegetables, dhal, fish, fruits, breadfruit, dalo, yam, cassava and sweet potato.
“We need to really think hard, and we really need to change the way we eat and the way we are living.”
He said about 65 per cent of Fijians were either overweight or obese, while diabetes affected about 16 per cent of the population. Dr Maharaj called for a nationwide response involving health professionals, communities, NGOs, businesses, village leaders, youth groups and mothers’ clubs.
Meanwhile 38 police officers died over the past year and Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu said most, aged 30 to over 50, died from non-communicable diseases after delaying medical help.
