Fiji's Minister of Health says a new survey on lifestyle diseases shows a shocking outcome with obesity common among teenagers, as well as a rise in diabetes and stroke among older people.
Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete, the President of the Fiji Medical Association Photo: Alex Perrottet / RNZ
The Fiji Times reported Health Minister Ifereimi Waqainabete, as saying the country had seen significant rise in non-communicable disease (NCDs) over the past 50 years, with an increase of 17 percent between 1970 and 2011.
The ministry is sending out officials on house-to-house visits to educate people on the importance of a healthy lifestyle to combat NCDs.
A delegation from the Chinese Embassy presented the Minister with $US17,000 worth of medical equipment including scales, stethoscopes, blood pressure checking machines to help monitor people's health.
The Xinhua news agency said the move in collaboration with the World Health Organisation is to help experts provide better primary health care by detecting and preventing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and cancer.
There are plans for a wellness passbook for all Fijians from conception to 70 years old, with key wellness indicators including nutritional status, dental condition and immunisation records.
The Minister is encouraging Fijians to undergo yearly cardiovascular risk assessments.