The handing over ceremony between the Tanoa Hotel Group and Diabetes Fiji Inc was held at National Diabetes Centre of Fiji yesterday.

Young Diabetes Fiji (YDF) was able to secure sponsorship from the Tanoa Hotel Group for the provision of glucose strips for the young diabetics of the central division.

The group donated 50 boxes of glucose strips worth of $1256  to YDF.

Group general manager Mere Rakoroi said: “The sponsorship will assist underprivileged children below the age of 30.

“We are really happy we are part of YDF and we are really honoured to help poor and needy people who are victims of young age diabetes.

“This is an eye opener for all other companies. They can also help people of such cases in some other ways because children are leaders of tomorrow,” said Ms Rakoroi.

Meanwhile YDF’s president Shivanjani said: “We are really happy with the donation given by the group.

“If we buy whole box of glucose strips privately, it will cost us $45 and some people cannot afford to buy it because their weekly wages is only $100,” she said.

On the other hand Diabetes Fiji Inc’s programme co-ordinator Viliame Qio said the initiative was to try to prevent and manage the spread of diabetes to young people.

“Nationally we have 80 patients of diabetes under YDF,” he said.

This week YDF will visit the Mau Primary School to create awareness on young age diabetes within children and they would also do some screenings.

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