7 police deaths recorded in first 2 months of this year, 5 of which were linked to NCDs

Seven police deaths have been recorded in the first two months of this year, 5 of which were directly linked to non-communicable diseases.

This was revealed by Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho who has stressed that the unfortunate deaths of two officers yesterday suspected to be NCD related, underlines the urgency in addressing the concerns he has with regards to the health of their officers.

Qiliho adds that from 2016 to 2018, 48 police deaths were recorded, of which 43 deaths were directly linked to NCD’s.

Two Senior Police Officers passed away yesterday and their deaths are suspected to be related to NCD’s.

Qiliho says one officer passed out as he finished a fitness test at the Nasese foreshore and was rushed to the to the MIOT hospital but attempts to revive the officer were futile.

The second officer who passed away was admitted at the CWM Hospital.

Qiliho also stressed that as the head of the Fiji Police Force he wants to address the health of Police Officers through the Health Audits and Required Fitness Level Tests so that they are able to live life beyond retirement.

He has also reiterated that NCD’s are becoming a real threat to the health of Police Officers and he will not stop from conducting the Required Fitness Tests and the mandatory health audits within the institution if it leads to a healthier Police Force.