There is 1 amputation every 8 hours compared to 1 amputation every 12 hours 7 years ago.

This was highlighted by Diabetes Fiji West Chairperson, Dr Jone Hawea while speaking at the Media Diabetes and Advocacy Workshop.

He also stated that diabetes is an ongoing disaster in Fiji that has an annual cost of $120 to $180 million a year.

Dr Hawea also highlighted that diabetes is imposing a huge financial burden on Fiji’s economy adding that it also has the single highest impact on the productivity of all major lifestyle diseases in Fiji.

While opening the workshop, Assistant Minister for Health, Alex O’Connor highlighted that in 2011, 15% of Fiji’s adult population has been diagnosed with diabetes and as a result, today doctors have to operate on 3 amputations a day.

He says that although diabetes is costly it can be prevented and stakeholders need to maximize the use of social and mainstream media to improve diabetic care in all aspects.

O’Connor adds that these aspects include the prevention of risk factors that lead to diabetes to controlling diabetes and preventing the dreaded complications.