Health care expenditures related to deaths and disabilities from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and obesity-related conditions were estimated at $591 million in 2019.
During a ministerial address in Parliament, Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu highlighted that NCDs remain the primary health challenge for Fijians, accounting for 80 percent of all fatalities and 40 percent of premature deaths in the nation.
According to the recently released Republic of Fiji Vital Statistics Report covering 2016 to 2021, circulatory diseases—including hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain cancers—were identified as the leading causes of death across all ages and genders in Fiji.
For adults aged between 35 and 59, non-communicable diseases were the predominant causes of death. Dr. Lalabalavu emphasized that these diseases significantly burden both the health care system and society at large.
He noted that the majority of hospital admissions and medical treatments in Fiji were due to NCDs and their complications. Conditions such as coronary artery disease, strokes, kidney diseases, and vision impairment often necessitated surgical interventions, including amputations. This ongoing health challenge requires constant care within the country’s health facilities.
Dr. Lalabalavu indicated that 95 percent of NCDs are linked to lifestyle choices, with the four main modifiable risk factors being tobacco use, a sedentary lifestyle, an unhealthy diet high in salt, sugar, and fat, and excessive alcohol consumption.
These harmful lifestyle practices lead to critical changes in the body that elevate the risk of NCDs, including higher blood pressure, increased blood sugar levels, elevated cholesterol levels, and obesity.
The Fiji 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey revealed alarming trends in dietary habits among older children, adolescents, and adults, marked by low consumption of nutritious foods and a high intake of sugary and sweetened drinks.
Additionally, the survey indicated that approximately one-third of children in Fiji aged 5 to 19 were overweight. Dr. Lalabalavu warned that if these intermediate risk factors remain unaddressed, they could culminate in the onset of NCDs.