Suva — June 3, 2026 — Diabetes Fiji is urging the government to allocate at least $1 million in direct funding to strengthen nationwide diabetes services, warning that the disease remains the country’s leading cause of death and a growing public health crisis.
Executive Director Kini Marawa emphasized that diabetes is not just a health issue but a national development, economic, and social justice challenge. He stressed that every person diagnosed deserves access to quality healthcare, life-saving medication, education, and supportive environments to live healthy, productive lives.
Despite ongoing government efforts to address non-communicable diseases, Marawa highlighted persistent gaps in healthcare infrastructure, including overcrowded clinics, shortages of trained educators and foot care nurses, and limited access to specialized services in rural and maritime communities. Around 30% of Fiji’s population has been diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, with many patients suffering amputations or dying from complications.
Marawa noted that while the government allocated $10 million for HIV programs in the current financial year, diabetes has not received similar priority despite its widespread impact. He argued that investing in prevention today would save millions in future treatment costs, reduce complications, and ease the burden on families and the healthcare system.
Dedicated funding would allow Diabetes Fiji to expand services beyond the Central Division, strengthening support in the Western, Northern, and Eastern divisions. The organization currently provides community health screenings, awareness programs, foot care assessments, youth initiatives, and outreach to vulnerable rural and remote communities.
Marawa concluded that tackling diabetes requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, warning that the crisis cannot be solved without greater strategic investment and collaboration.
