$30,000 for diabetes awareness
Monday, October 16, 2006
MOBIL Fiji yesterday presented a $30,000 cheque to the Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Udit Narayan to raise awareness on diabetes in Fiji.
Mr Narayan said obesity was the reason for the increase in diabetes in Fiji.
"The number of diabetes patients is increasing as a result of the high obesity rate in Fiji's population," Mr Narayan said.
"More people especially younger men are currently dying prematurely in Fiji today and this is a real concern for the Ministry of Health, which must be addressed accordingly." He said NCDs were a silent epidemic and were neglected diseases that were preventable in most cases.
"The increase in the number of diabetes and other NCDs in the country has influenced your company (Mobil) to invest in the creation of more social mobilisation and primary intervention strategies with awareness," he said to Mobil's Andrew MacNaught while receiving the cheque.
"One of the greatest needs is to reach the rural dwellers, as they are the ones who suffer more from diabetes complications." Mr MacNaught said diabetes was a growing health issue not only in Fiji but also the Pacific region.
"There is a growing cost associated with diabetes both from a financial perspective but also the emotional costs associated with seeing a loved one physically deteriorate as the diseases take hold."
"It is a growing epidemic that is largely preventable and education plays a key role. Mobile recognises that our people in Fiji may be unaware of the risks associated with lack of exercise, poor eating habits including excessive fat and sugar in our diets and not visiting our local doctor on a periodic basis for health checkups."
Diabetes donation 
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