From 2003 to 2007, the only improvement Fiji made in terms of non communicable disease improvement was decreasing the rate of mortality at birth.
That was the revelation of Health Minister Doctor Neil Sharma at the recent National Health Symposium in Suva, talking on the occurrence of Non Communicable Diseases in the country.
In 2003, there were a total of 17, 910 births recorded while in 2007 the number increased to over 19,000.
He revealed that comparing the success of decreasing peri-natal deaths to the 145, 000 cases of diabetes reported for 2007, it is a worry.
Doctor Sharma stressed that while Government was doing their part by sending people overseas for training, also entering into partnership with donors for the opening of the Diabetes Center as well as providing support to amputees, diabetes continues to affect 18% of both major ethnic groups.
He revealed that this was an area of concern for Government and since taking office 18 months ago, they have aimed at reducing these figures.
National NCD Doctor Isimeli Tukana also revealed that for the four years, on average a total of 400 people die each year from NCDs with diabetes topping the list.
Meanwhile, for 2007 Diabetes recorded the highest number of cases reported with 145, 000.
Story by: Paradise Tabucala
