Symposium held to create a policy on NCD issues

Heart disease and diabetes have been the leading cause of deaths in Fiji in the last 20 years.

While presenting the report this morning at the Fiji National Wellness Symposium, FNU lecturer Dr Ilisapeci Kubuabola said that according to statistics from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluations from 1990 to 2010, heart disease cases have increased to 66% while diabetes increased the most to 265%.

Other relevant causes of death that have increased were stroke, self harm, liver cancer and interpersonal violence.

National Advisor for Non-Communicable Diseases Dr Isimeli Tukana said that for the first time ever, a National Wellness Symposium has been held to produce a policy on NCD issues in Fiji.