SUVA (Islands Business/Pacnews) — Rising diabetes rates in Fiji have sparked and urgent public health initiatives as experts emphasize the critical link between diet, lifestyle, and insulin resistance.
Recent studies reveal that high blood sugar levels, resulting from inadequate insulin function, pose severe risks, including complications such as foot infections and heart disease.
“The core issue in diabetes is elevated blood sugar due to insulin problems, not just sugar intake,” said Dr. Alipate Vakamocea, president of the Fiji Medical Association and lifestyle medicine expert, during the VegFest Fiji 2025 program, in collaboration with the Alliance Française de Suva and FMA.
“Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces no or very little insulin, and Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance or reduced insulin production,” he said.
“Gestational diabetes happens during pregnancy and increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes later, and managing insulin function is critical since sugar itself is fuel, but insulin controls its proper use.”
Vakamocea said small blood vessels in extremities, eyes, kidneys, and heart suffered from sticky blood due to high glucose, leading to complications like foot infections, blindness, kidney failure, and heart disease.
“Diabetic neuropathy arises from nerve damage due to poor blood supply, causing loss of pain sensation,” Vakamocea said.
“These complications are major causes of hospitalization and long-term care needs in Fiji.”
Improved data and screening programs are underway to manage diabetes and related conditions in Fiji better.
The upcoming WHO STEP survey release will provide updated data on diabetes, hypertension, and lifestyle factors for Fiji, helping target interventions.
The survey will identify undiagnosed cases and highlight risk behaviors like alcohol-use and smoking.
He said the government focused on expanding screening programs to catch more patients early.
“Increased awareness and education efforts, such as Veg Festing and public talks, aim to shift perceptions about healthy food and exercise, responding to the dominant media narrative that often misleads,” said Vakamocea.
