Fiji reports deaths from non-communicable disease-related complications, diabetes

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SUVA, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Over 12,000 Fijians have died in the past two years due to non-communicable disease-related complications, according to the Ministry of Health.

Ilaitia Delasau, general surgeon at the Suva-based Colonial War Memorial Hospital, said that non-communicable disease leads to three main medical problems -- high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

At least two new diabetes cases are diagnosed at Fiji's Colonial War Memorial Hospital daily, in addition to other cases diagnosed at health centers around Fiji.

According to Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) on Monday, Fiji's Ministry of Health has labeled diabetes a silent epidemic because Fiji has a very young population, and the majority of the patients are in their 30s and 20s.

Delasau said they deal with a lot of complications of diabetes as the majority of cases are presented at a late stage.

Around 15 percent of Fiji's adult population are suffering from diabetes. Delasau noted that one of the major contributors to diabetes in Fiji is the lifestyle including the food eaten on a daily basis by the majority of people.

Diabetes-related amputations in Fiji account for 40 percent of all hospital operations, according to Professor of Surgery at Fiji National University Eddie McCaig in an earlier report.

McCaig said that about half of Fiji's diabetics also needed eye surgery for cataracts or laser treatment for retinopathy and their kidneys were also affected by the disease. Enditem

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