SUVA, June 20 (Xinhua) -- A pilot program will be introduced in six Fijian primary schools in July to ensure students live a healthy lifestyle and to reduce Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
Reach 4 Your Future Foundation, a charity organization in Fiji, will organize this program that will focus on good nutrition, exercise and movement, as well as rest.
The Foundation will work closely with RMIT University based in Melbourne, Australia.
Health Minister Rosy Akbar said on Tuesday the program aimed to reduce the prevalence of NCDs among the younger generation and to build a healthy population by nurturing young Fijians to understand the importance of their health.
This week statistics released by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services revealed there were 669 limb amputations for 2015 and 791 in 2016 due to diabetes.
Akbar said the statistics showed the alarming consequences of diabetes among Fiji's population and the increasing cases of NCDs were a great burden to the country.
"Top of the list of the NCDs concerns is diabetes and its complications which is a major cause of death and disability in Fiji," said Akbar.
Akbar admitted that many cases were undiagnosed, resulting in many Fijians accessing healthcare services at a late stage when the conditions became too complicated and expensive to manage.
She said it was important for Fijians to take ownership of their health as doctors could only advise on what needed to be done, but real changes to prevent NCDs, was about the choices made by individuals.
She appealed to every individual and their families to choose to live a healthier and happier life.
