More than half of our population suffers from anaemia – Dr Lalabalavu

Minister for Health Dr Atonio Lalabalavu is urging Fijians to grow their food and eat what they grow after he revealed that anaemia is a major public health problem in the country.

While launching the National Nutrition Month and World Breastfeeding Week at the Holiday Inn, Dr Lalabalavu says more than half of our population is estimated to be suffering from anaemia.

He says good health, proper nutrition and breastfeeding are important factors to combat and contribute to their vision of having a healthy population.

Minister for Agriculture, Vatimi Rayalu says Fiji is a country with a surplus food source and people should not have any excuse to be lazy in planting their own vegetables and crops in their backyard.

Rayalu says we should have the initiative to plant food, in order to combat anaemia.

UNICEF Pacific representative, Jonathan Veitch says all children deserve and have the right to have a good start in life.

Veitch says breastfeeding is a gold standard and one way to prevent anaemia.

He says UNICEF will continue to advocate for the improved of children on food supply.

He adds nutrition should be in every sector, and every sector should be nutritious.

The theme for the one-week celebration is 'Act Against Anaemia'.