About 84 per cent of all premature deaths in Fiji are caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Assistant Health Minister Penioni Ravunawa revealed these statistics while opening the Fiji Dental Conference 2025 at the Novotel Hotel in Nadi yesterday.
He said within the NCDs crisis — oral diseases are too often “overlooked” despite their heavy burden.
“So dental caries affects up to 90 per cent of adults in our country,” Mr Ravunawa said.
“Severe gum disease over 30 per cent and oral cancer are also on the rise.
“With new cases increasing by 25 per cent in the last five years, situation is compounded by Fiji’s current HIV crisis, the outbreak and the persistence burden of TB in our country.
“These issues are directly correlated to oral health.”
Mr Ravunawa also highlighted the urgency was clear worldwide, adding that NCDs causes 43 million deaths annually or 75 per cent of all deaths
He said seven of the top 10 causes of death globally were NCDs.
“So, when we look into the mouth of our patients, see chronic infection, pain also affects nutrition and also affects their overall well-being.
“These conditions share common risk factors and are amplified by social stigma, misdiagnosis and limited access to care.”
He said according to the latest report from the UNODA political declaration on NCDs, there were signs of weakening commitment.
He said unfortunately, the legal experts in the room viewed it as a weak proposal.
“This is why we must ensure oral health remains formally embedded within NCDs policy at the national, regional and global level.
“We cannot afford to treat oral health as a separate issue, it must integrated into prevention programs, health promotions, campaigns and broader public health agenda.