Diseases of the circulatory system is still the number one cause of deaths in Fiji as this accounts for 2,417 of the deaths out of the 6,927 total deaths in a year.
Health Minister Jone Usamate says this is according to the 2014 Annual report.
While speaking at Labasa Hospital this morning, Usamate stated that heart attack is the second most common cause of death with a total of 1,138 deaths in a year.
He told residents of Labasa that last year alone, the Labasa Medical Team had to perform 559 echo-cardiograms and out of these, 16 required exercise stress test.
400 echo-cardiograms have been performed this year.
The Health Minister says poor nutrition choices and inactivity contributes to Non-Communicable Diseases such as heart attacks.
Meanwhile, Usamate also received a donation of a new Exercise Stress Test Machine at the Labasa Hospital today.
This Exercise Stress Test Machine will assist doctors in the diagnosis of heart diseases.
The Friendly North Festival Committee has donated the machine valued at $70,000 to Labasa hospital.
The Committee has also carried out $30,000 worth of renovations at Labasa hospital.
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