More Fijians Dying at a Young Age

With seven days to Christmas, the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Ratu Atonio Lala­balavu has pleaded to Fijians to take care of their health during this festive period.

This follows shocking revelation from the World Health Organisation (WHO) that more Fijians are dying before they reach 70 years and most have died young­er than expected.

WHO revealed this during a recent me­dia training workshop for media person­nel from Fiji and the Asia Pacific region in the Philippines.

"I plead to all Fijians, please look after your health,” Dr Lalabalavu said.

“Continue to exercise and be cautious with what you eat and drink because this is one period where alcohol and kava consumption become a common share during gatherings.”

WHO said the probability of young people dying was high and the major causes were cardiovascular diseases, heart attack, cancer and diabetes or chronic respiratory diseases. 

The training titled “Communicating Non-Communicable Diseases: Saving Lives through Stories’ was attended by 20 reporters from three Asian countries and Fiji.

The two-day training was hosted by Probe Media Foundation, Inc (PMF) and WHO at the Novotel Hotel in Manila.

The WHO revealed that data received between 2009-2019 on the cause - specific mortality in Fiji was grouped into three large categories; communicable (infectious diseases along with maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions), non-communicable chronic diseases and injuries. 

Robert Ryan, an associate for data management from WHO, said the probability of people dying between the exact ages of 30 to 70 from cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease was high.

‘A great percentage of people who die in their 30s before their 70th birthday would be from any of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease assuming that she/he would not die from any other cause of death if they do not look after their health,” Mr Ryan said.

According to the WHO, the top causes of death for males in Fiji were heart diseases, not leaving out heart attacks and diabetes for females.

The percentage of deaths of all births registered in Fiji in 2021 was 87 per cent and all deaths registered between 2012 – 2018 was 93 per cent.

Minister for Health Pleads

Dr Lalabalavu said hospitals across the country would continue to operate in a normal manner as doctors and nurses will stand ready to serve the people during the Christmas period.

“Our hard-working doctors and nurses will be in hospitals across the country to give you the best service you deserve,” Dr Lalabalavu said.

“Continue to spread the word of healthy living.”

Dr Lalabalavu said his ministry would improve the standard of service delivery in hospitals and possible upgrades of its infrastructure from next year.

Medical Personnel tells

Medical personnel Doctor Sheenal Singh of Labasa said a glaring trend in the population she noted presented themselves with NCDs were above 35 years.

“They are usually the working class, they are basically known cases of high blood pressure and diabetes,” Dr Sheenal said.

“However, the cut-off age that I would say for NCDs, it has gone to probably somewhere close to just above 25-year-old. Lately we have been seeing young people in the late 20s coming in with NCDs like diabetes. It’s really sad.

“It really comes down to your live choices and cycle. It’s basically the diet and the lack of physical activity. So, please look after your health during this festive season. NCD is a lifestyle disease brought about by the food we eat, the drinks we choose, heavy smoking and stress level from work related issues.

“Now that we are approaching the festive season, as soon as its festive season and holiday everyone seems to be a bit relaxed about their health. Everyone is in the mood, just to rejoice and enjoy but I plead with everyone to please take of your health seriously.”

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