Dr. Devina Nand, Head of Wellness at the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, is calling for urgent action to address the troubling rise in diabetes-related lower limb amputations in Fiji. She highlights the need for careful consideration of strategies to combat the increasing number of patients suffering from diabetes mellitus, which is characterized by poorly controlled blood glucose levels.
Two comprehensive studies reveal alarming statistics regarding amputations linked to diabetes in Fiji. The first study recorded a total of 938 amputations conducted between 2010 and 2012, while the second study, which looked at first-time extremity amputations from 2012 to 2015, noted that approximately 648 patients underwent their first amputation due to diabetes.
Dr. Nand points out that such numbers are distressing and have significant implications for the nation’s health. She emphasizes that diabetes is a leading contributor to disabilities in society and highlights the grim reality that nearly 80% of all deaths in Fiji can be attributed to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with 30-40% of these being premature deaths, including those from diabetes.
Moreover, the data from 2011 to 2015 shows that the age range of patients requiring amputations was between 30 and 91 years, with many falling within the productive age group, thereby affecting the workforce and economic stability of the country. Dr. Nand raises awareness about the grave dietary and lifestyle choices contributing to this health crisis, urging the public to reflect on their eating habits.
This situation highlights the urgent need for public health initiatives aimed at prevention, education on lifestyle choices, and better management of diabetes in Fiji. With collective effort and commitment to healthier living, there is hope for reducing the incidence of diabetes and its severe complications, including amputations.
In summary, with the alarming statistics and pressing health concerns surrounding diabetes in Fiji, there is an opportunity for positive change through community engagement, improved healthcare interventions, and a shared commitment to healthier lifestyles.
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