Call to address NCD crisis

MORE than 12,000 Fijians lost their lives to NCDs over a two-year period.

Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu revealed this as he called for concerted action, urging stakeholders to unite in addressing Fiji’s NCD crisis and forging a healthier, more prosperous future for all Fijians.

He did not specify the years these deaths occurred but said a proposed policy called the Fiji Policy on Food and Nutrition Security (FPFNS) aimed to ensure all Fijians have access to safe and healthy food that meets their dietary needs and cultural preferences.

“Transformative policies, multi-sectoral engagement, targeted investments, and enhanced data collection are integral components of our collective strategy to combat chronic diseases in Fiji,” he said.

Speaking at a policy development workshop on chronic diseases at the Holiday Inn in Suva, the minister said chronic diseases like NCDs significantly impact our communities and healthcare systems because of their complex nature, “spanning genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioural factors”.

More than 15 million individuals worldwide succumb to NCDs annually between the ages of 30 and 69, with a notable proportion of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries like Fiji.

Highlighting these statistics, Dr Lalabalavu said over 80 per cent of Fiji’s annual mortality was attributed to NCDs, with heart disease and diabetes emerging as major contributors.

“The risk factors for NCDs in Fiji are significant and includes the high prevalence of overweight or obese individuals, elevated blood sugars and blood pressure levels in our communities.

“The insufficient daily consumption of healthy food options in fruit and vegetables, and the presence of a significant percentage of daily smokers are also risk factors.”

He stressed the importance of targeted interventions to address these risk factors and bridge nutritional gaps, particularly among vulnerable populations such as childbearing women.