THERE is a need for more specialised foot-care clinics across the country as Fiji continues to record one diabetes-related amputation every 12.5 hours.
This is a call from Diabetes Fiji executive director Kini Marawa, who says urgent expansion of services is critical to prevent further loss of limbs and lives.
“To combat the tragic rate of one amputation every 12.5 hours in Fiji, we are actively advocating for and supporting the expansion of specialised foot-care clinics,” he said.
Currently, 10 dedicated foot-care clinics are operating nationwide.
However, Mr Marawa said this is not enough to meet the growing demand and rising number of diabetes cases.
“Our goal is to move beyond the current 10 clinics and ensure every division has a high-risk foot clinic capable of providing foot care by trained nurses before infection turns into amputation.”
He said most amputations were preventable if infections were detected and treated early, but many patients sought help too late.
“By the time some patients arrive at the hospital, the infection is already severe. We need trained foot-care nurses at the frontline to intervene early.”
Looking toward 2050, he said urgent policy shifts were also needed from the Ministry of Health to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
He is proposing mandatory metabolic screenings in secondary schools to identify what he described as the “missing 95 per cent” of young diabetics who remain undiagnosed.
“Many young people are living with diabetes without knowing it,” he said.
“Early screening can prevent long-term complications.”
He also called for stronger taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages, with funds collected directed specifically toward non-communicable disease outreach and prevention programs.
In addition, Mr Marawa said there’s a need to shift the burden of care from divisional hospitals to Sub Hub ‘Wellness Hubs’ within communities to improve daily compliance and monitoring.
“We need to move care closer to the people. Better daily monitoring and support will save limbs and save lives.”
Mr Marawa said without decisive action, the number of amputations would continue to rise, placing further strain on families and the nation’s health system.
