Diabetes Fiji Inc. has issued a powerful call for urgent national attention regarding what it describes as “a silent pandemic deadlier than HIV.” The organization highlights that systemic changes are necessary to combat diabetes, which continues to afflict communities across the country and leads to significantly higher rates of mortality and morbidity than other non-communicable diseases.
Diabetes, present in Fiji since the 1950s, is the leading cause of amputations, blindness, kidney failure, and premature death. This is in stark contrast to the response garnered by HIV over the past three decades, which has seen substantial progress in terms of political support, funding, and awareness. Mr. Marawa, the Executive Director of Diabetes Fiji, emphasized that while HIV is serious and merits attention, diabetes—affecting over 17% of the adult population—still goes largely underfunded and underdiagnosed.
The statistics are alarming: more than 1,200 annual amputations occur due to diabetes, translating to roughly three amputations each day in the country. In comparison, the number of confirmed HIV cases in Fiji is under 2,000. For every person diagnosed with HIV, hundreds remain silently suffering from unmanaged diabetes.
Diabetes Fiji warns that neglecting diabetes as a public health priority has severe consequences. Patients—both urban and rural—are consistently finding it difficult to access affordable medications, diagnostic tools, and essential care services, leading to a growing health crisis. “This is not just a health issue; it’s a national development issue,” Mr. Marawa stated, calling upon all sectors to participate in coordinated action.
The organization urges the government and policymakers to elevate diabetes to the same priority level as other critical health challenges, allocate sustainable funding for diabetes programs, and expand access to testing and lifestyle education. Development partners and donors are encouraged to invest in diabetes initiatives, while civil society can help promote healthy lifestyles and early screening at grassroots levels.
Diabetes Fiji has initiated various interventions despite limited resources, including community foot care management, educational programs for young diabetics, peer support networks in high-risk areas, and advocacy for workplace health initiatives.
The organization emphasizes that while diabetes may present a slow decline in health, the impact is devastating, requiring a concerted effort to reverse the crisis. Awareness, early diagnosis, lifestyle changes, and proactive health measures are crucial in averting the increasing prevalence of diabetes and its complications.
With community engagement and a determined focus on health education, there is hope for improvement and a healthier future for Fijians. Just as the nation rallied to combat HIV, a similar resolve can be harnessed to defeat diabetes, effectively reducing its devastating toll on families and communities.
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