Diabetes

Amrit Singh, Bau Road

The increasing number of people diagnosed with diabetes is shocking. But Government is increasing price of sugary drinks and beverages, while reducing the duty on imported fruits and vegetables to 5 per cent.

In my opinion the export duty for fruits should be fully exempted so that the prices of fruits being imported becomes affordable to all Fijians.

Secondly, issue eCards for purchasing carbonated drinks per individual, say on a weekly basis, by giving only two bottles per person.

If the limit is reached the consumer’s card will become blocked and the consumer will not be allowed to purchase any carbonated drinks during that particular week. The Government should take these ideas and implement them because increasing prices will not deter buyers.

People living in Fiji like to repeat mistakes and it has become a habit. People ignore signs and symptoms of diabetes and when they arrive to an expert doctor for checkup, it becomes too late and the only option available is to amputate the limb(s) so that the cancer does not spread and become fatal.

This increases the number of people living with disabilities in the country. God gave us a body which we neglect to care about and thus doctors amputate them. Government is already and should continue to invest more in recreational structures like gyms, parks, swimming pools, rather than investing in roads for just one budget. Give $400 million to build recreational parks and footpaths where kids and adults can walk or jog at least. We hardly see children playing tin pani, tyres, S.T.O.P stop, hopscotch and football daily.

Now I see primary and high school only having sports once a week. Sports was played daily for 30 minutes in my time. Why so many changes to the school curriculum?

I hardly see children running at recess and lunch time in schools in the playgrounds. Can we bring this back?