Non-communicable Diseases remains the main cause of death in the country with more than 80% of Fijians dying as a direct result of NCDs.
This has been highlighted by the Acting National Advisor Dietetics and Nutrition Wellness Centre Maca Rokomalani saying that half of all the deaths in Fiji are caused by cardiovascular diseases.
She adds that unlike mortality patterns in other countries, mortality caused from heart diseases continue to rise in Fiji.
Rokomalani says the Ministry of Health has implemented a number of public health initiatives through the development of the National NCD strategies and also through the increase of funding and expansion of diabetic services.
She highlighted some of the programs that the ministry has undertaken to tackle the rising NCD burden which includes the 30 minutes’ walk initiative, the Tobacco Control Act of 2004 and diabetic preventions through health promotion activities and outreach programs.
