The Health Ministry is now looking for specialists and counselors as they look at re-opening the Fiji Heart Foundation.

Ministry Spokesperson Iliesa Tora said that following reports from the Fred Hollows Foundation on Fiji having a 40% incidence rate of Diabetes in the country, they are now taking a pro-active stand to ensure that life style diseases are minimized.

Speaking to listeners on our sister station Viti FM, Tora said that with the $148 million budget allocation from government for this year, the Ministry is looking at re-opening the Heart Foundation as there is a high rate of complications as a result of life style diseases like diabetes.

According to Tora, another reason for the re-vitalization is the fact that CWM Hospital has just opened their new CATH lab that deals with heart surgery and is looking at adding more specialist equipment.

The Fiji Heart Foundation was dissolved a few years ago as a result of the lack of funding.

Meanwhile, Tora also confirmed that they will now be partnering with NGOs to address the issue of reducing lifestyle diseases.

He added that the Ministry has approved a system where the $5,000 will be given to the NGOs once approval of their plan of action.