Dr. Devina Nand, who serves as the Head of Wellness at the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, cautions that the rising incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and related lower limb amputations is a pressing concern.
She highlights findings from two studies looking into the profiles of individuals with diabetes who required amputations. The first study revealed that between 2010 and 2012, a total of 938 amputations were carried out. The second study, which assessed first-time amputations from 2012 to 2015, noted that approximately 648 patients underwent their initial amputation due to diabetes.
Dr. Nand describes the situation as alarming for Fiji, pointing out that a significant number of individuals are dealing with disabilities resulting from these procedures. She underscores the fact that diabetes is a major contributor to the disability rates in the country and stresses the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle this issue.
Moreover, she highlights the critical statistical data indicating that nearly 80% of all deaths in Fiji are linked to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with 30 to 40% being premature fatalities, many due to diabetes. Alarmingly, Dr. Nand reveals that a significant proportion of Fijians do not live beyond the age of 70. Furthermore, she presents data from 2011 to 2015 showing that patients requiring amputations were aged between 30 and 91 years, with the youngest being only 30.
Dr. Nand advocates for increased awareness about dietary and lifestyle choices, urging the community to reflect on the health implications of what they consume. By addressing these challenges with a proactive mindset, Fiji can work toward reducing the prevalence of diabetes and its debilitating effects.
This call to action for better health choices presents an opportunity for improved public health initiatives and community engagement, fostering a healthier lifestyle that can ultimately lead to reduced rates of diabetes and related complications within the population.
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