Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka shared his personal experiences with diabetes during the launch of the Diabetes Campaign 2024 at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva. He highlighted the impact of the disease on his family, recounting the loss of loved ones, including his mother who became blind due to diabetes complications and died in 1992.
Rabuka emphasized the importance of monitoring blood sugar levels, stating that his doctor advised him to be cautious about his own health. He revealed that his mother had lost two infant sons to diabetes before her own health deteriorated, illustrating the significant toll the disease can take on families.
During his speech, he pointed out that Fiji experienced approximately 5,700 deaths linked to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in 2020, with diabetes being a major contributor. The Prime Minister expressed concern over the rising health costs borne by individuals, families, and the government due to these diseases, noting that around 80 percent of deaths in Fiji are attributed to diabetes and other NCDs.
He urged all Fijians, including children, adults, and the elderly, to recognize the risks associated with unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, and tobacco and alcohol use. Highlighting the global prevalence of diabetes, he mentioned that one in ten adults worldwide is affected, with a significant portion being undiagnosed cases of type 2 diabetes. Rabuka’s message was a call to action for improved health awareness and preventive measures against diabetes in Fiji.