Assistant Women’s Minister Sashi Kiran urged women to pay attention to their cooking at home as a means to help combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This advice is especially relevant for iTaukei families, who represent a significant portion of those affected by NCDs.
Speaking at the annual handicraft show organized by the Pentecostal Church’s Central Ladies Ministry in Raiwaqa, Ms. Kiran highlighted the impact of unhealthy food choices on children’s nutrition. She noted that approximately 80 percent of children in Fiji under the age of five suffer from anemia, which hinders essential bodily functions including oxygen transport to the brain during critical development stages.
Reflecting on past practices, Ms. Kiran remarked that 30 years ago, the community’s diet was primarily made up of nutritious foods like rourou and bele, which contributed to better health outcomes, in contrast to today’s rising diabetes cases. She pointed out that alarming statistics indicate three individuals lose a leg each day, with the iTaukei community being particularly affected.
Ms. Kiran emphasized that these health issues can be mitigated by making conscious choices about what families cook and eat. She encouraged families to prioritize healthy options over competition during gatherings, where indulgent foods like cakes and noodles are often favored but do not provide proper nutrition.
She concluded by stating that the focus should shift from who brings the most appealing dishes to who has the healthiest child, affirming that children deserve the same nourishing food that previous generations had.