Fiji has the second highest rate of Non-Communicable Disease related deaths in the Pacific.
This has been highlighted by the Health Minister Rosy Akbar at the Primary Health Care Symposium who says that this was reported by the World Health Organisation.
Akbar says four main contributors to NCD are unhealthy eating, overuse of alcohol, lack of physical exercise and smoking.
She adds that NCD related issues contribute to 80 percent of deaths among those below the age of 70.
The Health Minister says the health sector can only do so much, focusing on its efforts on making healthy choices and use legislations where necessary to limit access to harmful products.
Akbar also says that there have been frequent demands for government to fund dialysis services for people suffering from kidney problems.
She highlights whether spending thousands of dollars on publicly-funded dialysis is the best way for our country to go.
Akbar says the key to tackling diabetes is early intervention and better compliance with effective treatment.
Participants at the two day symposium will discuss issues on strengthening suicide attempt surveillance system in Fiji, strengthening tobacco control enforcement in Fiji, review of the hand hygiene practices in sub divisional hospitals and the presentation of health related reports by relevant stakeholders.
