5,700 people lost their lives due to complications related to Non-Communicable Diseases in 2020.
According to the Economic Burden Report Fiji 2018, the total burden of NCDs on the Fijian society due to lost hours of work and healthcare needs is estimated to be $406 million annually.
Viliame Qio of Diabetes Fiji Inc says diabetes is among the most devastating of NCDs and high sugar intake makes this disease more prevalent and severe among our people across gender and ethnicity.
He says the 2013/2018 outpatient data recorded more than 176,000 patients treated for diabetes in Fiji.
Qio says that is a crisis and they welcome any measures that address the contributing factors to diabetes and will continue to advocate fiercely for healthier consumption from Fijians.
Head of Wellness Fiji, Doctor Devina Nand says the over-consumption of sugar, salt, oil and processed foods are all major contributors to the prevalence of NCDs in Fiji.
Nand says it is a shame that these unhealthy options fill consumer shopping baskets when Fiji has so many fresh fruits and vegetables and other nutritious food options.
She says changing consumer habits is a slow-going but essential effort that helps to build a more nutrition secure Fiji.
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