10-year-old diabetic patient says it won't hold him back

10-year-old Namish Chaudhry, who has type 1 diabetes, says although it hurts, he has learnt to take his insulin shots every day and he can do everything he loves, but he just has to plan a bit differently.

While speaking during the launch of Diabetes Fiji Campaign, Chaudhry says he was diagnosed in 2017, just a few days before turning 3 and at that time, he did not understand anything.

He says he spent nearly a month in hospital, three days in a coma fighting for his life, and coming out victorious but that was just one of the battles won; numerous awaits.

He says another battle was getting medical supplies and due to this, his parents felt completely lost but this is where Doctor James Fong guided them.

While acknowledging Dr Fong, Chaudhry says they will never forget his lesson to live a very simple life, not complicated.

The 10-year-old says there are occasions when his glucose levels are either too high or low and he feels frustrated when he has to stop playing just to check and treat himself.

Chaudhry says he hates it when he has to say no to some of his yummy treats and snacks, just to avoid high levels but he is getting better at handling it.

He says he knows the signs like headache, blood vision, and sleepy feeling, and he quickly drinks juice from his super-cool diabetic kit to avoid going into a hypoglycemic seizure.

Chaudhry adds diabetes is a part of who he is but it does not define him as he has become stronger and braver and adds that if you have diabetes too, remember, stay positive, stay strong, and never give up.

A mother of the 17-year-old type 1 diabetes patient, Nathan Cokanauto, says caregivers, often parents and guardians, are crucial in managing treatment, monitoring sugar levels, and ensuring a healthy lifestyle.

Malenia Dregaso says their role is to provide emotional support, helping our children to cope with the challenges of living with this condition.

She says her son is an active child who enjoys participating in various activities but there are times when he becomes moody or withdrawn from what is around him.

Dregaso further says some people living with diabetes in remote rural areas are facing difficulties attending school and receiving the right treatments that are needed for a diabetic person.

She is urging the Coalition Government to explore additional initiatives that can further support type 1 diabetes community in Fiji.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says any request for assistance has to come from the Health Minister to the Cabinet because it is an important issue that Fiji should take up and support.

While launching the Diabetes Fiji Campaign and their new website, Rabuka says his mother lost her eyesight in 1963 due to diabetes and was not able to see him until she died in 1992.

He says his mother lost two infants due to her diabetes.

The Prime Minister says around 80 percent of deaths in Fiji are caused by diabetes and other NCDs and these numbers are rising.

Rabuka says in 2020, we lost an estimated 5,700 Fijians due to NCD-related causes.

He says do not wait until it is too late; taking the first step to get checked is a powerful act of self-care and responsibility adding that with the guidance of dedicated healthcare professionals, you have a chance to protect your future, your family, and your community.