Diabetes Fiji Inc. is calling for the same urgency, compassion and national mobilisation shown towards other health crises to be extended to children and vulnerable Fijians living with diabetes.
In its Fiji Day message, the organisation said the country’s national celebration should also be an opportunity to consider whether vulnerable Fijians were receiving equitable access to healthcare.
“If our country has the capacity to mobilise resources, commodities and policy reforms to address one national health emergency, can we demonstrate the same urgency for children and other vulnerable Fijians who depend upon insulin every single day to stay alive?” Diabetes Fiji said.
The organisation acknowledged Government for continuing to provide insulin through the public health system but raised concerns about families having to purchase syringes required to administer it.
Diabetes Fiji currently supports 98 active members through its Young Diabetes Fiji Programme across the Central, Western and Northern divisions.
“For many children living with Type 1 diabetes, insulin is life itself,” it said.
“When a medicine is supplied without consistent access to the essential device required to administer that medicine, the continuum of treatment remains incomplete.”
The organisation stressed that its call should not be interpreted as pitting diabetes against other health challenges, including HIV and drug dependence.
“This is not a competition between diseases,” it said.
“Every human life carries equal dignity.”
Diabetes Fiji said people living with HIV deserved treatment and freedom from stigma, while people experiencing drug dependence required evidence-based treatment, rehabilitation and support.
It said children with Type 1 diabetes similarly deserved access to the medicines, consumables, technology and clinical services necessary for their care.
“If Fiji has found the courage to help one vulnerable population, why should we not extend that same courage, compassion and urgency to every vulnerable population?”
Diabetes Fiji said the national discussion also needed to move beyond syringes towards modern diabetes care, noting that treatment internationally had advanced significantly.
