The annual economic burden of diabetes in Fiji reaches a staggering $145 million. Dr. Devina Nand, Head of Wellness at the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, highlights the urgency of addressing this pressing public health challenge. She emphasizes the need for economic intervention, pointing out that Type 2 diabetes severely affects both the quality of life and the productivity of the nation.
According to Dr. Nand, the $145 million cost encompasses not only direct healthcare expenses but also losses due to premature death, absenteeism, and presenteeism—where employees show up for work but may not perform to their full potential due to health issues. Furthermore, she notes that diabetes care expenses exceed the average healthcare expenditure on a per capita basis by a factor of 3.2, and can increase drastically to 19.4 times more when complications arise.
The stark figures referenced by Dr. Nand serve as a call to action, imploring stakeholders to prioritize strategies that can mitigate this economic strain. With proactive measures and targeted interventions, there is hope that Fiji can make significant strides in controlling diabetes and improving health outcomes.
In summary, as diabetes poses a substantial economic challenge for Fiji, concerted efforts focusing on prevention and management can lead to enhanced public health and economic productivity.
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