Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are placing a significant financial burden on Fiji, costing the country approximately $600 million annually in both direct and indirect expenses, including lost productivity. A recent report by the World Bank, part of its Health Sector Review for 2024, warns that without intervention, health spending in Fiji could escalate to seven percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the year 2050. This increase could mean a staggering 250 percent rise in per capita health expenditure.
The report emphasizes that poor health outcomes are hindering Fijians’ productivity, with major contributors to this health crisis being cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers. The prevalence of NCDs has surged, accounting for 77.1 percent of the disease burden in 2019, a stark increase from 64.1 percent in 1990. Alarmingly, nearly 64 percent of all NCD-related deaths occur among the working-age population, indicating a pressing issue for the workforce.
On a positive note, the report points out that Fijians benefit from relatively low out-of-pocket health expenditures, a commendable achievement that should be preserved. However, the report warns that if Fiji is unable to address the rising tide of NCDs and if public healthcare spending does not keep pace with future demands, households may find themselves in a position where they have to forgo care, ultimately affecting health equity within the population.
The World Bank report underscores the necessity for Fiji’s health system to adapt its structure and prioritize preventive measures to manage the growing disease burden effectively. A shift towards a more effective primary healthcare model is essential.
The findings of this report will be officially unveiled tomorrow at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, with hopes that it will spark essential discussions and prompt strategic actions to safeguard the health and productivity of the Fijian population.
This critical information serves as a call to action for policymakers and the community alike, emphasizing the importance of enhancing health systems and preventive care to foster a healthier future for all Fijians.
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