The annual financial burden of diabetes in Fiji totals around $145 million, a stark reminder of the urgent need for intervention according to Dr. Devina Nand, the Head of Wellness at the Ministry of Health and Medical Services. “Type 2 diabetes presents significant public health challenges in Fiji,” she emphasized.
Dr. Nand pointed out that this debilitating condition not only affects individual quality of life but also detracts from the economic productivity of the country. The staggering cost of diabetes encompasses various factors, including losses associated with death, absenteeism, and presenteeism—where employees are at work but underperforming due to health concerns.
She further highlighted that the expenses related to diabetes care are more than three times the average per capita healthcare spending, and they surge nearly 19.4 times when complications arise. Dr. Nand’s call to action is clear: addressing these economic impacts is crucial. “If this doesn’t motivate us to act, then what will?” she questioned, urging a collective effort to combat this health crisis.
This situation underscores the pressing need for proactive measures and policy interventions to address diabetes in Fiji effectively. By focusing on economic strategies that prioritize prevention and management, there is hope for not only improving health outcomes but also enhancing the productivity of the workforce. With coordinated efforts and community engagement, Fiji can work toward reducing the burden of diabetes and fostering a healthier society.
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