Statistics reveal that 348 diabetes amputations were carried out this year in Fiji

Statistics in Fiji reveal that 348 diabetes amputations were carried out this year of which 216 are males and 132 are females.

This has been revealed by the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Rosy Akbar while speaking at the Diabetes Fiji Symposium this morning.

Akbar says a total of 578 diabetes related amputations were carried out last year adding that this also shows the number of families, children, parents and employers that can be affected.

While speaking on his presentation, CWM Hospital Surgeon, Doctor Timoci Qereqeretabua has also stressed that diabetes in Fiji is a national crisis for surgical departments in divisional hospitals around the country.

He highlighted that there is a diabetes related amputation every 17 hours at the CWM Hospital alone and that diabetes related surgeries account for 40 to 50 percent of a surgeon’s work at CWM.

He says that diabetes in Fiji is out of control and it is overwhelming surgical resources and staff.

Dr Qereqeretabua has also revealed that 47 percent of those who get a below knee amputation live in the Suva-Nausori corridor adding that demographics cannot be used as an excuse for presenting late.