For many families in Fiji, diabetes has transformed from a distant healthcare concern into a pressing everyday reality. As the nation observes World Diabetes Day 2025, Kini Marawa, Executive Director of Diabetes Fiji, emphasizes the importance of their largest outreach campaign to date. This initiative is being launched across villages, settlements, workplaces, and schools throughout all three divisions of the country. Running until December 30, the campaign’s primary focus is on screening, awareness, and early detection, targeting the alarming number of individuals who lose their lives without being aware of their condition.
Marawa articulates the gravity of the global diabetes situation, citing that approximately 589 million adults suffer from the disease, with an estimated 252 million remaining undiagnosed. The statistics for Fiji are equally alarming, with 16.6% of the adult population living with diabetes and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) contributing to 80% of the nation’s deaths. This reality underscores that diabetes is not merely a medical issue but one that deeply impacts families, the workforce, and national development.
The campaign aligns with the global theme of World Diabetes Day from 2024 to 2026, which revolves around “diabetes and well-being,” with a particular emphasis on the workplace in 2025. Marawa insists on the necessity of active participation from every individual to address this growing health crisis, while Provincial Administrator Tailevu, Ilisoni Lagi Vusoniceva, reminds communities that diabetes is closely connected to lifestyle choices regarding diet and physical activity.
Recent trends indicate that even rural communities, previously thought to be less at risk, are beginning to mirror urban areas in diabetes prevalence, particularly as diets shift towards processed foods. Marawa offers a glimmer of hope, stating, “The good news is diabetes can be prevented, delayed, and managed. Small changes make a big difference—cutting sugar, drinking more water, moving more, and getting screened,” emphasizing that proactive measures can significantly enhance public health.
The campaign is further supported by the Ministry of Health, which aims to bolster community outreach through health screenings, motivational counseling, and the Package of Essential NCD services (PEN). Mirroring sentiments from previous discussions about the diabetes crisis in Fiji, community engagement, awareness, and preventive measures are critical in combating this escalating public health issue. There is optimism that with sustained effort, education, and collaboration, Fiji can navigate towards a healthier future, significantly mitigating the burden of diabetes in the years to come.