Sixty-five-year-old diabetic patient Tulsi Ram of Sakoca new subdivision, Tamavua, is urging Fijians to change their diet.
Mr Ram, who moved to Suva from Vanua Levu more than 20 years ago, says a change in lifestyle and diet must be prioritised.
He said he contracted diabetes after adopting an unhealthy diet. “I was doing fine in the beginning. My brother and I used to do carpentry together.
Our eating habit and lifestyle changed here in Suva,” Mr Ram said.
“Back in Labasa, I was working in the farm doing heavy job and eating healthy and maybe because of this, I was healthy.”
He said the first sign of trouble emerged in 2018 when he developed swelling on his body.
“Due to the diabetes, the boil got worse, and it was not healing. I went for treatment at Nuffield Health Centre in Tamavua but it didn’t get healed despite getting injections.
“So, I went to a private doctor who referred me to the CWM Hospital where I was hospitalised.”
Mr Ram said he was admitted in the hospital for more than two months.
“I was going for surgery after every 48 hours. Doctors kept taking out the infected flesh and it took so many days to heal.
“After getting a bit better, I was discharged from the hospital. Doctors told me to take care of myself at home.
“Nurses were coming home to provide the necessary services and my health improved.”
After the health scare, Mr Ram made the decision to make a lifestyle change by changing his diet.
“Now, I am able to walk around and give a helping hand to my family members. Doctors had advised me not to be on the bed all the time, that’s the reason why I walk a lot.
“Remember, diabetes can kill you and turn your life round. You’ll feel, your whole world is changed as life will be full of challenges.
“You won’t be able to do things which you used to do before. “So, take care of yourself.”
