THE Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are at an alarming rate and number one killer diseases in the country.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Undersecretary Health Improvement and Controller Dr Nemia Bainivalu said NCDs kill about six people every day.
He was speaking at SIBC yesterday when delivering his keynote address to mark the World Diabetes Day.
Diabetes alone is responsible for one death from the six daily deaths.
“NCD admissions including for diabetes at NRH is at 84% and account for 87% of deaths.
“An amputation at the surgical ward is increasing at a very concerning rate of 3 to 5 amputees per week,” he said.
This report was from the Head of Department of Internal Medicine Dept and National Referral Hospital (NRH) physicians Dr Jones Ghabu.
Dr Ghabu said NCDs can be prevented.
“NCD is a preventable disease because it is a lifestyle disease,” he said.
He said what people need to do is to have a healthy lifestyle.
This means by eating fruits, vegetables and doing physical exercise.
So what have the MHMS been doing to address this issue?
MHMS commitment and determination to further improve their work on diabetes and NCDs for the next 10 years is embedded in the recently launched National Health Strategic Plan 2022 to 2023 to achieve a healthy future for Solomon Islands.
Dr Bainivalu further added the vision is for all Solomon Islanders to have access to quality healthcare services but also effective and engaging health promoting activities with health information readily available and easily accessed to enhance literacy.
By LACHLAN EDDIE
Solomon Star, Honiara