MOH targeting sugar sweetened beverages to decrease NCD rate

Minister for Health and Medical Services Jone Usamate said one of Government’s strategies in reducing the rate of NCD’s is to increase the taxation of sugar sweetened beverages.

In line with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services NCD Strategic Plan, Diabetes Fiji has embarked on a four year project that targets a holistic approach to prevention and management of diabetes with a special focus on foot care.

Usamate said the nurses carry out an important role.

Usamate had earlier said in Fiji, currently 30 percent people have diabetes and this number is expected to reach 50 percent in the next 5 to 10 years if this crisis continues to be ignored.

He said it is estimated that there is one lower limb amputation in every 12 hours, which means two per day and approximately 730 in one year.

Meanwhile a total of 84 Nurses have under gone the foot care training out of which 47 are graduating today.