Diabetes is on the rise, and it is no longer a disease of predominantly rich nations as its prevalence is steadily increasing in developed and underdeveloped countries alike.

Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete made these comments as he officially opened the Diabetes Self-Management Workshop at Studio 6 in Suva yesterday.

He said when diabetes was uncontrolled, it had dire consequences for health and well-being.

In addition, diabetes and its complications impact harshly on the finances of individuals and their families and the economy.

Data

He said according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2019, diabetes was the ninth leading cause of death with an estimated 1.5million deaths directly caused by diabetes and 48 per cent of all deaths due to diabetes, occurred before the age of 70 years.

“For people living with diabetes, access to affordable treatment, including insulin, is critical to their survival. There is a globally agreed target to halt the rise in diabetes and obesity by 2025.

“Diabetes and its effects on the people of Fiji are well documented. The burden of health costs on the individuals, families, workforce and Government is alarming.”

Prevalence of diabetes

The International Diabetes Federation estimated that the prevalence of diabetes among adult Fijian was 15.1 per cent in 2020.

The federation also estimates that 206 million adults around the world live with diabetes and 2.3 million deaths in 2021 will be attributable to diabetes.

Dr Waqainabete said the fundamental components of diabetes care were access to insulin, access to oral medicines, access to self-monitoring, access to education and psychological support, access to healthy food and a safe place to exercise.

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