Doctor Jasmial Nand, an Internal Medicine specialist at the CWM Hospital, has shed light on some of the most common misconceptions surrounding non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Fiji.
As a passionate advocate for health awareness, Dr Nand will be participating in the upcoming Suva Marathon this Saturday to raise awareness and combat the rising burden of NCDs in the country.
While speaking to fijivillage News, Dr Nand says some of the misconceptions people have about NCDs are that many think medication will fix all diseases but there is a lack of knowledge, and people think they cannot get sick.
He says as a doctor he has seen patients with diabetes and heart diseases thinking that the doctor will fix everything with medication.
He says many have refused to be seen by a doctor due to bad experiences in the past and think that herbal medicine will fix their diseases.
He adds that to address these issues, awareness by healthcare providers, general practitioners, government, and universities should be clearer and should reach people through the power of social media.
He says basic health sciences and disease processes need to be taught in primary and secondary school levels because if someone understands from a young age that washing hands reduces bacteria on their hands, it will make a massive difference.
He also says people should stop gossiping about each other and start talking about lifestyle and health-related issues because it is killing us and the misconceptions contribute to it.
Meanwhile, the Suva Marathon will be held this Saturday, starting at 6am at Albert Park.
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